Four suspects posing as officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) have been arrested for defrauding a man of Ksh.251,000 in a well-coordinated scam. The operation was carried out by detectives following a complaint from a victim who believed he was enrolling in a genuine SHA membership program.
The suspects, identified as Peter Muriithi, Catherine Kinyua, Lilian Njeri, and Samuel Mbuthia, allegedly approached the victim, convincing him that they could assist with official SHA registration. During the process, they persuaded him to surrender his mobile phone under the pretext of completing the registration procedure. Shortly after, the phone went off, and all attempts to restore communication failed.
The victim, sensing foul play, reported the matter to his Sacco, where he discovered that Ksh.251,000 had been withdrawn from his account and transferred to several mobile numbers connected to the suspects. This prompted law enforcement officers in Marimanti to launch a swift operation that led to the arrest of the four individuals.
During the arrest, detectives recovered SHA-branded T-shirts, name tags, membership cards, and informational leaflets believed to have been used to lure unsuspecting citizens. They also seized multiple SIM cards and a Toyota Prado, registration number KDP 267C, suspected to have facilitated the fraudulent activities. An additional number plate, KDS 399C, was also found in the vehicle, raising further suspicion about the gang’s operations.
Authorities believe the suspects may be part of a wider criminal network targeting citizens seeking to register for government services. Investigations are underway to identify more victims and determine whether other accomplices are involved in the syndicate.
The four suspects are currently being held at Marimanti Police Station and are expected to be arraigned in court. Law enforcement agencies have urged the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of individuals claiming to represent government organizations, particularly in financial transactions involving personal data or registration fees.
