By:Robert Mutasi
Police in Uasin Gishu County have seized fake currency worth millions of shillings and arrested one suspect in a major operation targeting a fake money syndicate operating between Kisumu and Eldoret.
Addressing the media, Uasin Gishu County Commander Wilberforce Sicharani said detectives intercepted a vehicle and upon searching it, recovered a large amount of suspected fake US dollars and Kenyan currency, along with materials used for making fake money.
“We have tried to count approximately two million six hundred fifteen thousand US dollars. We have tried to count, we found two million nine hundred ninety… If we convert it into Kenyan money it is million three hundred thirty four,” Sicharani said, explaining that the haul is worth over Ksh 334 million when converted.
The commander, who took over as county police boss in May after serving as Gigiri Sub-County Commander in Nairobi, said officers also recovered papers used for making fake money and additional Kenyan currency notes.
“Also inside there we found papers for making three thousand two hundred sixty seven money,” he said.
According to Sicharani, the money is suspected to be counterfeit and police are treating the case as a serious economic crime with potential to defraud unsuspecting Eldoret residents.
“This money we suspect is not legal money and we have one suspect and he continues to assist us in a state of investigation,” he said.
The commander revealed that the suspect is in custody and detectives will seek custodial orders to complete investigations, including establishing who hired the vehicle used to transport the fake currency from Kisumu.
“That suspect, because we are continuing with the investigation, we will take him to court so that we get a few days that is so that we complete our investigation. We will know who went to hire this vehicle there in Kisumu. Technology will help us know who was inside that car,” Sicharani added.
He said the exhibits will be forwarded to experts at the Central Bank of Kenya for verification. “We want to send to the experts where it is Central Bank of Kenya so they can help us verify,” he noted.
Sicharani issued a stern warning to residents of Eldoret town to be vigilant when handling large amounts of cash, saying fraudsters are targeting businesspeople, land sellers and unsuspecting citizens.
“Our citizens in the city of Eldoret should be very careful when they are given money or when they receive money like this. They went and were told and they got money which is bad,” he cautioned.
The seizure comes at a time when police in the North Rift have intensified operations against counterfeit goods, fake fertilizer and illicit brew. In July, Sicharani’s team seized over 4,000 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer in Kabenes.
Police say the suspect will be arraigned once investigations are complete and have urged members of the public with information about the syndicate to share it with security agencies.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by the National Police Service to combat economic crimes and protect Kenyans from fraudsters circulating fake local and foreign currency.