Man arrested for impersonation tells court he is an undercover cop

A 26-year-old man arrested for purporting to be a police officer was yesterday arraigned in Eldoret.

The suspect however stunned the court after he identified himself as an undercover military officer.

Javan Odhiambo Oduor alias Ken Korir, alias Douglas Serem, appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Richard Odeny and introduced himself as an undercover officer.

He officially introduced himself as Douglas Serem, saying he used the other names to do his undercover work.

Investigating Officer Anne Kaldale requested the court to grant her five days to carry out further investigation.

“The issue was raised to us on the diverse dates of September 3 and 7, that there was a man said to be a police officer attached to the DCI Eldoret and that he is said to have been having intentions of extorting money from the public,” she told the court.

Serem, on being arrested, alleged he was an officer from Military Police Unit based in Nakuru, and that he was on investigations mission in Eldoret. He later claimed he was a Safaricom investigator.

“When arrested, he introduced himself to the officers as Javan Odhiambo Oduor and when at the station, he introduced himself as Douglas Serem and later as Ken Korir,” said Kaldale.

She further told the court the Military Police office from the recruit training school had been informed and that they were yet to identify the suspect.

They are also yet to verify the ownership of the suspect's two identity cards, which he purports to belong to him.

“This honourable court is pleased to order the respondent to be remanded at Eldoret police station for five working days for completion of investigations,” ruled Odeny.

The matter will be mentioned on September 13.