On September 8, 2023, officers attached to the Direcorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested 11 suspects in relation to a Sh1 billion gold deal that did not materialise.
The suspects were later set free following orders by Nairobi Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe.
Two foreigners linked to the deal are however still in police detention as at September 13, 2023.
“Having pursued the application seeking to detain the suspects, the court finds no compelling reasons to warrant detaining them for 21 days as requested,” the court ruled.
Those released include Mr Festo Wamanyi, a DCI officer based in Kitui who was released on a Sh100,000 cash bail.
Others released on a Sh20,000 cash bail include David Misiko, Lenace Wakachuka, Rahma Hassan, Joseph Gikonyo, Stephen Andere, Alice Kavata, Flevian Omwoyo, Ian Wekesa, Duncan Muchai and Suleiman Nanji.
The two foreigners still in police custody after they were declared flight risks are Nelson Fru Che and Ronald Nelson.
They hail from Cameroon.
They were reportedly found in possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.
Police also say that they were in possession of forged bank notes.
The suspects allegedly planned to defraud a Tunisian national of Sh1 billion in a fake gold scam.
On September 11, 2023, prosecution filed an application in court seeking to detain the suspects for 21 days.
It has emerged that Mr Joseph Waswa had contacted the foreigner and informed them that his consignment of gold worth Sh1 billion was being held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
It is then that the complainant made a decision to visit Kenya with the aim of engaging in the business after the gold is released.
