Police allowed to detain two suspected fraudsters for seven days

A Milimani Chief Magistrate's Court has allowed police to detain two suspected fraudsters for seven more days pending the completion of the investigation.

The two, Belinda Jepkemboi and Yvonne Chepkirui were arrested on October 14 in Kericho town.

They are to face charges of the intent to defraud, stealing, conspiracy to defraud and identify theft contrary to the law.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi on Monday, the state through DCI sought 10 days to detain Jepkemboi and Chepkirui at Gigiri Police Station.

They are suspected of being part of a larger syndicate that deals with SIM swaps and theft among other cyber-related crimes.

The syndicate is suspected to have been involved in the theft of Sh4.8 million belonging to the Ambassador of Belgium and where some of the accomplices were arraigned earlier on.

The police requested the court to allow its application stating that it is yet to record statements from over 15 victims and other key witnesses who come from different parts of the country.

The Investigative Officer Lawrence Irungu, said they also need time to recover mobile phones believed to have been used in the alleged crimes and that are in various residents in Nairobi, Mombasa and Bomet counties.

"The offences for which the respondents are being investigated are serious crimes that attract severe penalties. In that regard, respondents are likely to abscond the court's jurisdiction if released at the moment," Irungu said.

He added that there are accomplices at large and the two suspects have agreed to help in their arrest, which will be defeated if they are released at the moment.

Irungu further said Jepkemboi and Chepkirui have more than five registered mobile numbers which are mostly offline and registered under various identities.

This, he added, might make it difficult to reach them.

"A custodial order will be important to the respondents for their safety since the community is very bitter with them after the incident," the IO said.

In mitigation, Belinda urged the court to dismiss the application for detention claiming she has a baby who needs breastfeeding.

Irungu however said the suspect had not brought the same to their attention at the time of arrest.

After considering the application, the court said the suspects might escape if they were released on bond terms and allowed the state's prayers.

"In the circumstances, I will allow the application by the Investigating Officer for a period of seven working days pending conclusion of the investigations," Senior Principal Magistrates Ochoi ruled.

On Belinda's statement, he directed the probation officer to establish if the former is lactating, and if the same is true, she will be placed in custody where facilities are available where she can take care of her child.

However, if the same is not true, the court said it will take the necessary actions against the accused person.

The matter will be mentioned on October 17.