Suspects seized with Ksh.38M fake currency in Kisii arraigned

Four suspects arrested in Kisii with fake $380,000 (Ksh.38million) currency notes were on Wednesday arraigned at Ogembo Law Courts.

Appearing before Ogembo Resident Magistrate Julius Mutai, the four; Herbert Akuma, David Barongo, Haron Onduro and Danvas Boxers were charged with being in possession of papers of forgery contrary to Section 36(a) of the Penal Code.

According to court documents, on October 2, 2018 at Gionseri trading centre in Nyamache sub-county, the suspects had in their position – without lawful authority – papers intended to resemble and pass as special papers used in making fake currency notes of $110,000 and 600,000 fake Ksh.1000 currency notes.

One of the suspects, Herbert Akuma, pleaded guilty to the charges and will appear again in court on October 8, 2018 for a ruling.

The other three suspects pleaded not guilty and were granted a bond of Ksh.400,000 with a surety of similar amount or cash bail of Ksh.200,000.

The case will be mentioned on October 17, 2018 and the hearing was slated for January 24, 2019.

Three of the suspects were arrested during a raid on Tuesday night at Gionsari sub location and were taken to Nyangusu Police Station where they spent the night.

“We found $270,000 (Ksh.27 million) in two vehicles while $110,000 (Ksh.11 million) was discovered at the home of an old man alleged to be a victim of the con game,” Nyamache OCPD Japhet Mwirichia said after the raid.

He added that they also recovered chemicals and other equipment that the suspects were allegedly using in the illegal business.