Nairobi: Online Writer Charged with Conning US-Based Kenyan Woman KSh 870K
Nairobi – A middleman has been charged with defrauding a Kenyan woman living in the United States of KSh 870,733. The accused, Parmenas Kivinga Kisengese, was arraigned at the Makadara Law Courts on March 25, where he denied the charges and requested bail.
How Kisengese Ended Up in Court
According to court documents, the alleged offence occurred between August 14 and August 18, 2023. The prosecution stated that Kisengese, alongside other suspects not before the court, fraudulently obtained the money from Sandra Mercy Mwangangi under false pretenses.
“On various dates between August 14, 2023, and August 18, 2023, at an unknown location within Kenya, jointly with another person not present in court, by fraudulent means, obtained KSh 870,733 from Sandra Mercy Mwangangi, falsely pretending to offer online writing services, a fact he knew to be untrue,” the charge sheet reads.
Bail Request and Court Ruling
During the hearing, the defence attorney pleaded for leniency, arguing that Kisengese was not a flight risk. Magistrate Praxides Oduke considered the request and granted him a cash bail of KSh 50,000.
“The suspect has been released on KSh 50,000 cash bail, and the hearing date is slated for September 2, 2025,” Magistrate Oduke ruled.
Police arrested Kisengese on March 23, 2025, in Kitui County at Ikanga Police Station. Authorities later transferred him to Embakasi Police Station, where he remained in custody until his court appearance.
Another Shocking Fraud Case
In a related incident, another suspect, Michael Gikonyo Muthoni, also known as David Mbugua Mungai, appeared in Milimani Law Courts on March 11. He was charged with fraudulently obtaining KSh 1.9 million from Christine Nyambura Nkonge by pretending to secure her clients’ jobs abroad.
According to the charge sheet, Mungai committed the fraud between October 5 and October 28, 2024. He convinced Nkonge that he had the ability to place job seekers in overseas employment, a claim that was entirely false.
Mungai faced a second charge under Penal Code Section 313 for obtaining an additional KSh 300,000 under similar false pretenses. The court heard that between October 21 and 28, 2024, he misled his victims, knowing he could not fulfill his promises.
A Growing Concern in Kenya
These cases highlight a growing trend of fraud targeting unsuspecting Kenyans, both locally and abroad. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and verify job offers, business deals, and online transactions before making any payments.
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Nairobi: Online Writer Charged with Conning US-Based Kenyan Woman KSh 870K
