A man has been charged after defrauding unsuspecting citizens using the name of Mandera County Women Representative Umurkheir Kassim on Facebook.
Evans Mugendi Kirimi is accused of using the Facebook account name of Hon. Umurkheir Kassim, pretending to be Hon. Umulkheir Kassim Sheikh and posted false information to wit “Youth Funds Women Funds, Grants and Men Business funds are now available financial year 2023-2024. Those interested to Hit My inbox for Guidance. Thank you” knowing it to be false and with the intent that the information shall be considered or acted upon as authentic.
Kirimi is also said to have further published more false information to wit….”In conjuction with captain motorcycles Limited, my office is giving out 200 motorbikes to Mandera residents to create employment within the region and ease the transport sector. If interested hit my inbox with your ID number, Phone number and location #teamworkwinsgames” knowing it to be false and with the intent that the information shall be considered or acted upon as authentic.
In addition, the accused is charged with obtaining Sh 10,850 from Hussein Mohamed Adan by falsely pretending to be the said women rep and in a position yo offer employment opportunity for his daughter at a facility fee, a fact he knew to be false.
He is also accused of obtaining Sh 5,000 from Mohamednoor Abdullahi Abdi by falsely pretending to be Kassim and purporting to be in a position to offer grants from the county at a facilitation fee, a fact he knew to be false.
The court also heard that the accused impersonated Hon Umulkheir Kassim by fraudulently or dishonestly making use of unique identification features to wit, images of Hon. Umulkheir Kasim to operate a Facebook account by the name of Hon Umulkheir Kassim by pretending to be her.
Kirimi is alleged to have committed the offenses between 29th June 2023 and 8th February 2024 at unknown within Kenya.
He denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi and was granted a cash bail of Sh 200,000 plus one contact person.
