Do you remember the recent case of the fake President Uhuru Kenyatta who siphoned a tycon of Ksh 80 million? Well, suspects were arrested over the weekend, and have hence been arraigned in Court. They are accused of impersonating President Uhuru Kenyatta to con people millions of money. However, the suspects have challenged the prosecution to produce President Kenyatta in court as a witness.
The seven – Joseph Waswa, Duncan Muchai, Isaac Wajekeche, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja and Anthony Wafula told a magistrate the law does not bar Kenyatta from appearing as a witness or complainant in the case.
The seven are accused of using mobile number 0722-208842 to call the chairman of Sameer Africa Naushad Merali to release Sh10 million while mimicking Kenyatta.
Their lawyer Cliff Ombeta said that in the absence of confirmation from Kenyatta that the number is not his, what’s before court is mere speculation.
“A telephone number was cited in the affidavit by Inspector James Mwangi, but no annexture from any mobile phone provider has been presented to confirm if the numbers exists and who it is registered under,” said Ombetta.
He was making the arguments while opposing an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions to have the seven detained for 10 days pending further investigations.
Prosecutor Edwin Okello said it’s unfortunate the case involves the President, but whether or not he should be summoned as a witness is “neither here nor there”.
He urged the court to allow their application and detain the seven for 10 days due to the complexity of the investigations and the number of suspects involved, including some who are still at large. He told the court that the investigations will involve going through voluminous documents including bank documents and call data records.