A reverend from the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) has been arrested in connection with a fraud case involving over KSh3 million. The suspect, identified as Rev. Richard Macharia Njuguna, is accused of swindling an Ethiopian refugee in Nairobi under the false pretense of helping him acquire Kenyan citizenship.
The arrest was made by detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), who apprehended the suspect at a hotel located in the Ruiru area along the Eastern Bypass. The arrest followed a complaint that had been filed at Capitol Hill Police Station and was later handed over to the ATPU for further investigation.
According to preliminary findings, between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025, Rev. Njuguna posed as an officer from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, claiming to be attached to the Directorate of Immigration Services. He allegedly convinced the refugee that he had the power and connections to facilitate the acquisition of Kenyan citizenship. Over this period, he fraudulently obtained a total of KSh3,030,500 from the unsuspecting victim.
A subsequent search of the suspect’s residence in Khawa West and his vehicle uncovered a trove of documents and materials believed to be used in the fraudulent scheme. Among the items recovered were wooden stamps purportedly from a range of official institutions. These included the Chief Magistrate’s office in Nairobi, the Kenya Immigration office at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Immigration Control in Busia, the Embassy of Kenya in Somalia, and the Ministry of Lands Head Office. These materials are believed to have been used to create convincing documentation to support the scam.
The recovered items, along with the vehicle, have been seized and are now being held as exhibits in the ongoing investigation. Authorities are working to determine whether other individuals may have been involved in the fraudulent activities or if there are additional victims who may have fallen prey to similar scams.
As of now, Rev. Njuguna remains in police custody and is undergoing formal processing. He is expected to be arraigned in court once the initial phase of the investigation is complete. The case has raised concern among both religious and refugee communities, as it highlights the vulnerability of individuals seeking legal residence and the exploitation they may face from those misusing positions of trust and authority.
