Eight Kenyans and two foreign nationals facing allegations of defrauding two American citizens of USD159,000 (Ksh19,859,100) in a fake gold scam deal have been arraigned in court.
They have appeared and charged before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki.
They pleaded not guilty to various counts of gold fraud.
They are Samuel Wathika Gathuru, Moses Otieno Oketch, Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, Elisha Mbadi Kimbero, Teddy Samora Kowino, Kaisarios Loamms, Mugabe Patrick Biriko, Seth Steve Okute, Bruno Otieno Oliende, and Collins Kiprotich Langat.
They were released on bail.
“l find no compelling reasons offered by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to warrant the grant of the custodial orders sought. I find that no evidence has been adduced to show the suspects will interfere with witnesses including the complainants in the matter. The application is rejected and each suspect herein is released on bail of Ksh100,000 each plus one contact person each for the eight Kenyans. For the two foreigners l order each to avail two Kenyan contacts persons to get their freedom pending investigations,” Magistrate Ondieki ruled.
The suspects were released on bail and ordered to be reporting to the DCI headquarters every Friday until investigations are completed. They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court.
