By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
  • News
    • Metro
    • Politics
    • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
Reading: 15 held over passport issuance scam – DCI
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
Font ResizerAa
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
  • News
    • Metro
    • Politics
    • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Newsunplug Kenya > Blog > Metro > 15 held over passport issuance scam – DCI
Metro

15 held over passport issuance scam – DCI

new5nuke
Last updated: October 6, 2023 1:26 pm
new5nuke 2 years ago
Share
SHARE

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) has confirmed they are holding up to 15 people linked with the passport issuance scam.

The DCI carried out the operation to arrest the suspects following the directive by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki that investigations be conducted following numerous public complaints.

While 15 are in custody, the detectives are on the lookout for more people believed to be culprits carrying out the scam.

“In the ongoing operation, which was launched on Monday, October 2, 2023, six (6) Department of Immigration Services staff, including an intern, and nine (9) suspected brokers have been arrested, while the manhunt for more suspects who got wind of the operation and ran into hiding continues,” DCI said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

The DCI – terming the suspects as rogue – also said members of the public have been forced to pay to get the vital document.

“In the classic case of grand corruption, members of the public and foreigners seeking passports and work permits, respectively, have been forced to part with huge sums of money to access services after the rogue officials took advantage of a temporary system downtime to satisfy their sheer greed for extras,” the statement continued.

READ MORE  Afande kitu gani! Viral video of TikToker taking kanjo officer on ‘road trip’ excites Kenyans

According to the agency, the suspects have a meticulous way of operating that involves brokers stationed around Nyayo House.

“The crooked officials went ahead to plant brokers around the facility to entice and collect funds from desperate applicants with emergency cases, as well as persons of means who were able to influence special treatment at the expense of ordinary Kenyans who procedurally tendered their applications,” it added.

DCI went ahead and gave full details of the people being held over the scam. The suspects were arrested following a raid at the Department of Immigration Services on Monday, October 2.

“This included Mr. Nicodemus Muide, Aloise Gitonga Kiura, Stephen Makokha, Mohamud Khalif Maalim, 38 (a broker), and Esther Ogega Nyambura, aka Pauline Nyangara Ogega, aka Carol, aka Purity, who is an intern at the department,” DCI stated.

One suspect, during interrogation, fell ill, had to be taken to the hospital, and was released on bail as the investigation continued.

“Confronted by the facts of the allegations laid against him, Mr. Muide unfortunately fell ill and was rushed to AAR Hospital along Kiambu Road, where he was diagnosed with a heart attack and high sugar levels.

READ MORE  Fake lawyer Brian Mwenda proposes to girlfriend

“He was released on bail to continue with treatment as detectives sought custodial orders for the rest of the suspects at Kahawa Law Courts to complete investigations,” the Kiambu Road-based authority said.

More arrests

After the initial operation, DCI launched a day-two operation and went on to arrest more.

“In the subsequent operations at Nyayo House and the Central Business District, another staff member, Joseph Ireri Karani, and eight brokers have been arrested.

“These are Abdullahi Abdirahman Ali, Bashir Ore Ibrahim, Damaris Kwamboka Bosire, Charles Mucheru Mwangi, George Karancha Obare, Domiciano Makori Oketch, Isaac Mbulo, and Luke Lang’at.

“A trail of transactions by the suspects on their mobile money and bank accounts indicating how money was remitted to the immigration officers and their proxies has since been obtained, with the view of presenting water-tight evidence during prosecution,” DCI revealed.

After promising to clear and hasten the passport issuance process, Kindiki made an impromptu visit to Nyayo House, where there was an accumulated backlog of over 40,000 passport applications.

You Might Also Like

Three Children Knocked Down By Police Car In Kitui

Hundreds of students evacuated at Cardiff University building after a ‘chemical spill’ with ‘small number’ of people being treated by paramedics

Cameroonian woman and six Sudanese nationals among 16 dead in Dubai building fire

Married teacher, 45, caught in car undressed with young boy

An early-morning fire in Kerugoya destroyed property worth unknown amounts

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Vera Sidika blasts ‘fake friends’ for snubbing IG influencer Aziza’s funeral
Next Article Monica Kimani murder: Jackie Maribe, Jowie Irungu ruling moved to December 2023
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

about us

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.

Recent Posts

  • 🎙️ Arsene Wenger: A Statement Victory for Barcelona
  • Lebanese man accused of money laundering in Kenya denied bail, to be extradited to US
  • Fans are convinced Lamine Yamal ‘mocked’ Jude Bellingham with savage post after El Clasico win
  • Civil Society calls on Weatherman to strengthen early warning systems
  • President Ruto: There are no missing persons, all abducted Kenyans have returned home

Recent Comments

No comments to show.
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
© Newsunplug Kenya. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?