Police in Nairobi’s Parklands area have arrested a suspected impostor who has been parading himself as a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) brigadier, allegedly preying on the hopes of innocent citizens and extorting money in the guise of recruitment.
According to the police, the suspect who had upgraded himself from civilian to “KDF brigadier” without ever seeing a parade square, has been on a money-minting spree, allegedly conning hopeful youths with fake recruitment letters to the Recruit Training School (RTS) in Eldoret was arrested following a tip-off.
Acting on intelligence, detectives cornered him inside his rented Kilimani apartment, where he was found fully kitted out in Kenya Air Force regalia.
Police said a meticulous search inside the house by detectives led to the recovery of documents bearing the Ministry of Defence logo, including six fake admission letters bearing the same serial number, seven fingerprint forms, and a Yilmaz Defence Industry ammunition manufacturing manual, among other incriminating materials.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) urged the public to remain vigilant and shun shortcuts in the security sector recruitment process, as genuine enlistment is free, fair and transparent.
Meanwhile, a joint team of detectives from Mutuati and Igembe North Subcounties cracked down on a violent robbery ring, rounding up six suspects and recovering two Falcon pistols in the process.
The takedown came after weeks of covert surveillance that finally paid off when officers moved in, storming the suspects’ hideouts, apprehending them flat-footed before they could stage their next attack.
Upon the arrest, detectives recovered two Falcon pistols and three live ammunition. Also recovered are two numberless motorcycles, stripped bike parts, and other incriminating exhibits, completing the picture of a crew deeply entrenched in organised crime.
Ballistics experts are leaving no stone unturned, conducting a meticulous scientific analysis of the recovered firearms to link them to any crimes they may have been used to commit.
The six were expected in court on Tuesday, police said. As the country ushers in the festive season, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is cautioning criminals that their days are numbered.
DCI boss Mohamed Amin said they have intensified operations to address the rising cases of crime ahead of the festivities.
Detectives have intensified crackdown on such syndicates and are on high alert in case of any eventualities, he said.
