A 32-year-old mechanic who declined to pay a boda boda rider Sh600 after she took him from Nairobi Central Business District and back pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining services by false pretenses.
Kevin Ashiali admitted that he failed to pay boda boda rider Sarah Waithaka of the cash on June 11 after she offered him her services, when he was arraigned before Senior Principal magistrate Mary Njagi of the Makadara Law Courts.
Mr Ashiali admitted that he obtained the services falsely pretending he could pay knowing the same was untrue.
He was also charged with personation contrary to section 382 of the penal code which he also pleaded guilty to.
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Mr Ashiali falsely presented himself as police constable Sikuku Lokipuna who is attached to Kamukunji police station to Ms Waithaka at the Bus Station in Nairobi.
He approached Ms Waithaka at the bus terminus and requested her to take him to Moi Air Base in Eastleigh and back to Nairobi CBD and they agreed he would pay her Sh600.
However, upon return, Mr Ashiali declined to pay and claimed to be a police officer at Kamukunji police station.
He is said to have shown Ms Waithaka a certificate of appointment (COA) for the National Police Service (NPS) and reportedly claimed he would pay at the police canteen.
Ms Waithaka demanded payment for her services and other boda boda riders joined her in compelling Mr Ashiali to pay but he could not.
The boda boda riders apprehended Mr Ashiali and escorted him to Kamukunji police station where he was arrested.
Upon a search by the police, the COA was recovered and found to be fake and he was placed in custody as investigations continued.
Mr Ashiali wanted to explain to the court about the events of the day but Ms Njagi told him to wait for June 20 when he will have an opportunity for the same after prosecution lays out the facts of the case against him. He will remain in remand.
