Man charged for using Rachael Ruto's name to get Sh15,800

Michael Atito in the dock at a Milimani court where he was accused of impersonating Deputy President's wife, Rachael Ruto and soliciting money in her name via a Facebook account . [George Njunge, Standard]

A man was yesterday charged with impersonating Deputy President William Ruto’s wife.

Michael Mito Atito was arraigned before Milimani Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku for trying to pass himself off as Rachael Ruto on January 23.

Atito was accused of opening a Facebook account and soliciting for money from members of the public. He also faced two counts of obtaining money using false pretense. It was alleged that on January 26 he obtained Sh8,200 and Sh7,600 from Viola Chepkoech and Truvin Jepkoech respectively.

The women allegedly sent the money to Atito as ‘registration fees’ on the promise that they would get free cars.

The court granted Atito bond of Sh200,000 or cash bail of Sh100,000. Hearing was set for March 12.