Suspected Sonko impostor denies fraud charges

A man accused of presenting himself as Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko created a false Facebook account through which he allegedly solicited money for purported donations to support poor Kenyans.

Mr Joseph Gitau Njoki on Wednesday denied three counts of fraud before a criminal court in Nairobi.

The court heard that on April 29, 2013, at an unknown place, with an intent to defraud, he falsely represented himself as Mike Sonko on a Facebook page he called “Mike Sonko Foundation.”

Mr Njoki allegedly posted a false message that read, "This morning I have issued cheques worth Sh6.2 million to Kenyans who sent to me Sh1000 on my M-pesa line 0713004255. Keep on sending as I will continue giving out millions in support, to all my fans comment wisely to avoid to be banned on this page.”

The prosecution said the offence was committed on July 11, 2014, at an unknown place and “caused needless anxiety to the community of Facebook users.”

IMPROPER USE

He was charged with improper use of a licensed telecommunication system, contrary to the Kenya Information and Telecommunications Act.

Mr Njoki faced a further charge of obtaining money by false pretences.

The court heard that on April 11 while in Mombasa, jointly with others not before the court, he obtained Sh200,000 from Gideon Macharia Maina by pretending he was capable of assisting him to buy a new Nissan matatu.

Mr Njoki was denied bond after it emerged that he jumped bail and fled to South Africa in a separate criminal case pending at the Milimani Law Courts.

Although the suspect claimed he had TB and had not been taking drugs for the past seven days since his arrest, the prosecution asked the court not to release him as “his other file was still open when he was arrested in a new offence.”

The impersonation case will be heard on August 26.

Amongst the witnesses who will be called to testify are Senator Sonko and cybercrime investigators.