DIG Masengeli's nephew charged with defrauding parents Sh2.6m in police jobs scam

James Chesimani Masengeli, DIG Gilbert Masengeli’s nephew, charged at Milimani Law Courts with defrauding seven parents Sh2.5m over fake police jobs. [Nancy Gitonga, Standard]

James Chesimani Masengeli, also known as Timothy Khatete Barasa, nephew of Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, has been charged with defrauding seven parents of Sh2.58 million by falsely claiming he could secure National Police Service jobs for their children in the just-concluded recruitment.

Chesimani, a former police officer, appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego on Monday, December 8, 2025, and denied a charge of obtaining money by false pretences levelled against him by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

According to the prosecution, Chesimani is accused of committing the offence on various dates in November 2025, using his mobile phones to defraud several parents from Wajir County by pretending to be Deputy IG Gilbert Masengeli, claiming he had seven recruitment slots.

"On diverse dates between November 18 and 23, 2025, at an unknown place within Kenya, with intent to defraud, obtaining Sh2,588,000 by falsely pretending that he was in a position to secure seven job opportunities for employment in the National Police Service, a fact he knew to be false,” the charge sheet reads in part.

After denying the charges, the state prosecutor did not oppose his release on bail.

Lawyer Shadrack Wambui, representing the accused, urged the court to grant lenient bond terms, describing Masengeli as a law-abiding citizen and father of four:

“We plead with humility that this court considers granting very lenient bond terms to the accused person to secure his liberty. The accused is a father of four children, is a law-abiding citizen, and is currently a police officer. Under Article 50 of the Constitution, we urge you to find favour with lenient bail terms," Wambui told the magistrate.

He also requested that the prosecution furnish all evidence that will be relied on during the trial.

"My client is very eager to explain the circumstances he finds himself in. My instructions are that he is being mistaken for someone else and, perhaps in due course, the court will be able to get to the root cause of the matter, establish the truth, and vindicate him from the accusations he faces," Wambui added.

The prosecution, however, told the court that Chesimani is no longer serving as a police officer.

Consequently, the magistrate released Chesimani Masengeli on a bond of Sh1 million or a cash bail of Sh500,000, with two sureties.

The court also ordered the prosecution to provide all witness statements and documentary evidence before the pre-trial mention.

Witnesses listed in the charge sheet include Ali Khalif Muhumed, Sainab Ahmed Bure, Siyad Ismail Hassan, Halima Haret, among others.

The case is mentioned for pre-trial hearing on December 16, 2025.