A friend in greed

Published on

By Anthony Ngira

As he walked to the bank, a jovial Kariuki smiled broadly as he crooned his favourite music. His son who works for an NGO in Mombasa had just sent him Sh500,000 to purchase a piece of land. He had also promised to send him some more money to put up a house.

Being the end of the month, Kariuki intended to withdraw part of the money to pay rent.

As he joined the queue in the bank, he heard someone call out his name.

He looked around and saw Wanjau, a former workmate. Wanjau was being served at the customer care desk. The two waved at each other excitedly.

After a few minutes, Kariuki was through with his transaction. He stood at the entrance and waited for Wanjau.

It was not long before the two sauntered out of the banking hall chatting excitedly.

"How long has it been since we last met? Close to 12 years?" Wanjau asked.

Sweet memories

"I think so, I thought after the retrenchment I would never see you again," Kariuki replied happily.

The two discussed the days they worked at a factory in Limuru town.

Wanjau offered to buy him a cup of tea at a nearby restaurant.

Wanjau went ahead to tell him that after the retrenchment he got another job in Eldoret, which compelled him to move from Limuru.

"I am still not married," he added.

On his part, Kariuki talked about having started a retail shop after the unfortunate incident. He then touched on his family, concentrating on the son who was working at Mombasa.

"He wants me to buy a piece of land and construct a family house," he said.

Laying the trap

That’s when Wanjau’s face lit with excitement. He told him that he had two plots at Zambezi, which he intended to sell. In fact, the reason as to why he was in Limuru was to pay the plots’ caretaker and also to look for a buyer.

He urgently needed money to complete building a house and also start a small business.

Kariuki could not believe it. He had always wanted to live near the city and Zambezi, being only a few kilometres from Nairobi, provided the best opportunity. In addition, Wanjau was a friend so he was sure of getting a fair deal.

With a rising tinge of excitement, he demanded to view the property.

Wanjau obliged and within a few minutes, the two headed to Zambezi.

All the way Wanjau kept telling him how he had acquired the land. He claimed that it was given to him a few years back by his late father as a gift for taking care of him in old age.

As soon as they arrived, Kariuki surveyed the piece of land all the while admiring the trees planted all round. Once satisfied, he enquired about its price.

"As a friend, I will let you have it at Sh500,000," replied Wanjau.

"Don’t you think for a friend that’s too expensive?" wondered Kariuki.

After bargaining for a while, they agreed on Sh480,000.

It is at that moment that a young man approached them and called Wanjau aside. The two chatted for close to five minutes.

"That was the caretaker. He was telling me that a woman had enquired about the plot while I was away," Wanjau said after the young man had left.

Sensing that Kariuki might have a problem raising the whole amount, Wanjau proposed that he gives him a down payment of Sh90,000. He said he would collect the rest after four months in the presence of some witnesses and a lawyer.

Appetising deal

Kariuki agreed. It was such a major breakthrough, he thought. He would give him Sh90,000 and use the rest to put up a house as he waits for his son to send him more money to clear the balance.

He figured out that this arrangement would save him the Sh16,000 he was paying for rent.

The two then went back to Limuru where Kariuki withdrew Sh90,000 and handed it to Wanjau. They exchanged contacts and promised to keep in touch.

Two weeks later, Kariuki went to Limuru with a lorry full of sand and other construction materials.

Just then, the plot’s caretaker accosted him demanding to know what he was doing in a private property. Kariuki explained to him the deal with Wanjau.

"Oh my God. Wanjau and I are both caretakers although he is my boss. The owner of the plot resides in Nakuru," the young man replied much to Kariuki’s shock.

Wanjau had told the caretaker that Kariuki was a charcoal dealer who intended to purchase trees for his business. But the transaction had been cancelled due to a disagreement on price.

Panicking, Kariuki tried to reach Wanjau on the phone to no avail.

Kariuki confirmed his worst fears. He had been conned Sh90,000. The caretaker told him that Wanjau had not been seen since the day they allegedly made the deal.