Nairobi Preacher Arrested for Posing as Police Officer and Defrauding Ethiopian Refugee of Ksh3 Million

A reverend associated with the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) has been arrested in Nairobi after allegedly masquerading as an Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) officer and swindling an Ethiopian refugee out of over Ksh3 million in a fraudulent scheme promising Kenyan citizenship. 

According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, June 11, the suspect was apprehended by ATPU detectives after a complaint was filed at Capitol Hill Police Station. The preacher is said to have carried out the con between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025. 

DCI reports that the reverend claimed to be a police officer attached to the Directorate of Immigration Services. During this period, he allegedly convinced the refugee that he had the ability to facilitate legal Kenyan citizenship, a service for which he fraudulently obtained a staggering Ksh3,030,500. 

Following investigations, the preacher was arrested at a hotel in Ruiru along the Eastern Bypass. A subsequent search of his residence in Kahawa West and his vehicle uncovered several forged items. 

These included wooden stamps purportedly from various official institutions such as the Office of the Chief Magistrate in Nairobi, the Kenya Immigration Officer at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Immigration Control in Busia, the Embassy of Kenya in Somalia, and the Ministry of Lands Head Office. 

Authorities believe these materials were used to convince unsuspecting victims of the reverend’s legitimacy. 

The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing processing. He is expected to face charges related to impersonating a police officer and obtaining money by false pretences. 

This case adds to a disturbing trend of fraud schemes targeting refugees and foreign nationals in Kenya—many of whom fall prey to elaborate scams promising legal documentation, employment, or other critical services in exchange for large sums of money.