‘Fake’ KDF officers detained to allow investigations

Homa Bay County residents stranded at Mbita Law Court [James Omoro, Standard]

A man and a woman accused of masquerading as Kenya Defence Forces soldiers will remain in custody until Monday, November 8 when they will be taken to court to take a plea.

Gabriel Omuona and Peres Atieno appeared before a court Mbita, Homa Bay County, on Tuesday but did not plead to the charges after the police asked for more time to complete investigations.

Mbita Senior Resident Magistrate Japhet Bii heard that Mr Omuona and Ms Atieno were reportedly collecting money from residents claiming they would help them join the KDF.

The two, who have been detained at Mbita Police Station, are said to have claimed they are senior KDF soldiers and that they had been sent by their bosses in Nairobi.

Some residents are said to have fallen for their tricks, especially after they told them that they are influential people in the KDF and that they have connections that can get anyone recruited in the KDF.

The illegal activities of the duo are said to have been concentrated in Homa Bay and Migori counties.

They were arrested in Mbita town on Saturday as they prepared to meet two people they had promised to help join KDF after payment of an unknown amount of money. One of their would-be  'clients' hails from Mfangano Island and the other comes from Mbita town.

The two were arrested after reports people claiming to be KDF soldiers were collecting money from residents claiming they would help them get recruited in the KDF, according to Mbita sub-county deputy police commander Alfred Ng’eno