Eldoret court frees Kenyan wanted by Interpol for Sh8 million fraud

A Kenyan wanted by Interpol for Sh8 million fraud in Uganda was released on Tuesday after police failed to process his extradition.

Eldoret Chief Magistrate Charles Obulutsa ordered police to free Rodgers Kiptanui.

Kiptanui is accused of electronic fraud in the neighbouring country and there is an international warrant for his arrest.

The order was issued by the chief magistrate of the Nakawa court in Uganda on July 19.

DCI officer Evans Kamenwa told the court that the suspect was arrested on July 25 after the warrant was issued.

He explained that Kiptanui allegedly obtained $80,000 (Sh8 million) as a result of electronic fraud in Uganda.

The suspect is to be charged with the offence of electronic fraud under the Computer Misuse Act in Uganda.

Kamenwa had asked the court to allow police to detain the suspect for seven days to enable Interpol Kenya prepare extradition documents.

The seven days, however, lapsed before the process began, causing the court to free the suspect.

While noting that police failed to process the documents, Obulutsa said they could not continue holding the suspect on the strength of the Interpol notice.

He said they and Interpol must

initiate the extradition process for the suspected to be taken to Uganda for prosecution.

"The effect of this ruling is to order police to release him unless they hold him on other matters not known to court," the magistrate said.

Police from Uganda were already in Eldoret for the suspect.

Their Kenyan counterparts said they will follow up on the matter.