By Cyrus Ombati

Police are investigating three fresh cases in which people allegedly made false reports of deaths in the Nakumatt fire.

The revelation came a day after detectives at the Central Police Station in Nairobi took a man to court for a similar offence.

Bereaved families received Sh100,000 from the Government for funeral expenses.

Sources revealed police were pursuing several leads.

"There seems to have been a number of dishonest people who turned up to claim they lost their loved ones whereas that was not the case. It seems this is a scam," said an officer who sought anonymity.

Like the case of Hassan Mwarari, who claimed he lost a son, police are looking for three suspects.

The three are said to have received the money from the Government towards funeral arrangements that never were.

Central CID boss Festus Malinge declined to confirm the developments saying they were still investigating the matter.

"You know this thing is big and I do not want to comment on what is under investigation," said Mr Malinge.

Police arrested Mwarari following a report allegedly made after a dispute in his family on how to share the money.

But when he appeared in court on Monday, Mwarari denied the charge of receiving Sh100,000 from the Government.

At least 40 people were reported missing in the Nakumatt fire, early this year.

Thirty people who died, including five staff, were "positively" identified through DNA tests.