Nakuru ‘Fake Judge’ Arraigned Alongside Wife, charged With Impersonation And Fraud

NAKURU,Kenya, Oct, 26 – Victor Kiprono Ng’eno was yet again arraigned, weeks after being arrested for impersonating a magistrate of the High Court and obtaining over Sh1.6 million after allegedly promising to rule in favour of an unsuspecting victim.

Tuesday, the accused was presented before Principal Magistrate Isaac Orenge alongside his wife Mercy Chepkurui. They were charged with impersonation and fraud.

The two denied the charge and sought to be released on bail.

Ng’eno was charged with seven counts of impersonation following various complainants.

The Offences are said to have occurred on diverse dates between October 1, 2018 and December 2019 where they allegedly obtained Sh5 million from unsuspecting victims.

The prosecution led by Monica Mburu however opposed their release on bail citing them being a flight risk.

She further argued that the accused was not able to provide any identification documents and that a request by police at the registrar of persons office on his full identity classified the accused as ‘unknown’.

Ng’eno’s counsel Kipkemboi Sirma however refuted the claims, inquiring as to how the prosecution and police settled on his name (Victor Kiprono Ng’eno ) if indeed there was no identification documents.

Sirma further argued that, that was a ploy to ‘fix’ his client following the unsubstantiated claims.

“There was no evidence that the accused would interfere with witnesses – he never failed to honour a court summon,he is a law abiding citizen,” Said Sirma.

In his ruling,Principal Magistrate Isaac Orenge released the second accused person, Mercy Chepkurui, on a Sh 350,000 cash bail after the prosecution informed the court they had no compelling reason to have her held.

Ng’eno will however remain in police custody for week pending a ruling on his bail application.

The matter will be mentioned on November 2,,2021 for a comprehensive ruling.

Meanwhile detectives from Kericho also filed an application to have the accused placed in their custody after it emerged he had committed similar offences in their area of jurisdiction.

Appearing before Nakuru Deputy Registrar Daisy Mosse,Senior Sergeant Dalmas Owuor from Kericho’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations said they have launched investigations against the accused for impersonation and fraud.

Ng’eno is said to be crucial to investigators either as a suspect or witness.