Alleged KDF impostor arraigned over fraudulent recruitment operation

Alleged KDF impostor arraigned over fraudulent recruitment operation

Joshua Mutui Muimi was arrested on Monday after police allegedly found him dressed in full Kenya Air Force uniform, complete with a name tag, while issuing fake calling letters to unsuspecting Kenyans.

A man accused of masquerading as a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer and running a fraudulent recruitment operation was on Tuesday brought before a Nairobi court, where prosecutors sought to hold him for a week to facilitate ongoing investigations.

Joshua Mutui Muimi was arrested on Monday after police allegedly found him dressed in the Kenya Air Force uniform, complete with a name tag, while issuing fake calling letters to unsuspecting Kenyans.

According to the investigating officer, the letters purported to originate from the Ministry of Defence and instructed recipients to report for a non-existent training exercise in Eldoret scheduled for November 17.

The court heard that officers seized a range of documents believed to be linked to the alleged scam.

Among the recovered items were Ministry of Defence–branded papers, six admission letters, seven calling letters, fingerprint forms, and several KCSE certificates belonging to alleged victims. The documents were reportedly discovered inside a motor vehicle connected to the suspect.

Investigators now plan to submit both the documents and the military uniform to the Ministry of Defence for verification. Police also told the court they need more time to trace individuals who were allegedly contacted to pick up the forged admission letters and to record their statements.

The prosecution further argued that Muimi posed a flight risk, noting he had been staying in a serviced apartment at the time of his arrest and that his permanent residence could not be immediately established.

Muimi, however, urged the court to grant him bail, insisting he had no intention of absconding.

He said it was the first time he had ever been arrested and claimed that he once served in the military before leaving in 2018. The uniform he was found wearing, he told the court, was part of his original kit from his time in service.

The magistrate is expected to rule on the detention request after considering submissions from both sides.

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