Court grants Sh5 million bail to Sh12.2m fraud suspect

Yusuf Dahir Ali is accused of obtaining $93,910 from Farah Abdikarim with intent to defraud on March 23, 2026, in Eastleigh, Kamukunji Sub-County. [Istock Photos]

A Nairobi businessman has accused a man of orchestrating a sophisticated  fraud involving forged Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) documents and the disappearance of nearly $94,000 (Sh12.2 million) in cash.

According to the charge sheet, Yusuf Dahir Ali is accused of obtaining $93,910 from Farah Abdikarim with intent to defraud on March 23, 2026, in Eastleigh, Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi.

Prosecutors allege that Ali falsely claimed to possess genuine KPC oil consignments totalling 40,000 litres, ready for transportation from Kenya to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He allegedly promised to partner with the complainant in the venture and share the profits.

Ali also faces a charge of uttering a false document, contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code. He is accused of forging two Bills of Lading purporting to be genuine KPC documents, detailing shipment number 100222 9821 and vehicle registration numbers SSD 2095/SSD 130S for the oil consignment valued at $93,910.

In an affidavit presented by Corporal Chesumba Muyei before Chief Magistrate Kennedy Bidali at Makadara Law Courts, the prosecution opposed his release on bail, describing him as a flight risk.

The officer told the court that Ali had no known fixed residence in Kenya and operated across the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda.

“After obtaining $93,910 in cash from the complainant Farah on the fateful day, he immediately disappeared, switched off his phone and could not be traced until his arrest. He has already demonstrated a propensity to flee,” the affidavit reads.

The prosecution further argued that Ali could cross porous borders into neighbouring countries if released, making it difficult to secure his attendance at trial or recover the money. Investigators also feared he could interfere with witnesses, particularly the complainant and eyewitnesses, or destroy evidence, including the alleged forged documents.

Corporal Chesumba told the court that Ali was arrested at Nairobi Terminus while travelling to Eldoret. He was allegedly found with a passport bearing multiple immigration stamps from Kenya, Tanzania, the DRC and Uganda.

However, defence lawyers John Swaka and Manyela opposed the prosecution’s application, arguing that Ali had strong family ties in Kenya. They told the court that his wife had recently given birth and offered to provide his residential address.

Swaka dismissed the affidavit as malicious, arguing that it contained no supporting documents to substantiate the claims.

The defence maintained that the seriousness of the charges was not sufficient reason to deny Ali bail, adding that the prosecution had not demonstrated any attempts or threats to interfere with witnesses

The court granted Ali a cash bail of Sh5 million. The case will be heard on January 24, 2027.