Detectives in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, have arrested a man accused of obtaining KSh1.08 million from a resident in a fraudulent land-leasing deal.
The suspect, identified as Philip Ouko Makete, was arrested after detectives traced him to a hideout in Gatua following investigations into the alleged scam.
Police said Makete allegedly posed as the owner of a 30-acre parcel of land in Saboti and offered it to prospective clients for sugarcane farming.
Investigators allege that the suspect, working with brokers, convinced a complainant to pay KSh1.08 million to lease the property.
However, police said the land did not exist as represented and the suspect and his alleged accomplices disappeared after receiving the money.
Detectives launched investigations and used forensic leads to trace Makete to Gatua, where he was subsequently arrested.
He is currently in police custody as detectives process him for arraignment, where he is expected to face a charge of obtaining money by false pretences.
Police are also pursuing other suspects believed to have been involved in the alleged scheme and who remain at large.
Makete has not been convicted of the allegations and will have an opportunity to respond to the charges in court.
