Among them is 61-year-old Lucy Wanjeri Gikonyo, a resident of Kabazi in Subukia, who says she lost KSh 269,000—her life savings—after being duped into a fake SHA registration drive. Her ordeal mirrors that of Ezekiel Mwangi from Kabatini in Bahati Constituency, both of whom have since recorded statements with police in Nakuru.
“They told me they were registering people for SHA,” Gikonyo recalled. “I told them I couldn’t afford to pay the full annual amount, but they assured me it could be done in installments. I trusted them—and that’s how I fell into their trap.”
According to Gikonyo, the scammers—two men and two women—posed as government officials, complete with branded uniforms and official-looking documents. After collecting her personal details, they allegedly gained access to her M-Shwari and M-Pesa accounts, withdrawing the funds within hours.
Mwangi recounts a similar encounter.
“They stopped me by the roadside, introduced themselves as government officers from Kerugoya, and said they were registering residents for SHA,” he said. “I can still recognize them today.”
Mwangi’s wife, Lucy Njambi, told Citizen TV that her husband had been elated after what he believed was a legitimate registration—until she noticed discrepancies in the paperwork.
“He told me he had registered for SHA with some people wearing branded clothes,” Njambi said. “When he showed me the papers, I immediately knew it was a scam.”
Police at Kiuguini Station in Bahati and Central Police Station in Nakuru East have launched investigations following multiple complaints from victims. Authorities have since confirmed that the four main suspects linked to the scam are now in custody, as detectives pursue additional leads.
Both Gikonyo and Mwangi say they are relieved that arrests have been made and are hopeful that justice will finally be served.
“I just want my money back,” said Gikonyo. “And I hope no one else goes through what we did.”
