Contractor conned me Sh5m, Baringo Woman Rep Florence Jematiah tells court

Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematiah. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematiah is in court after she was allegedly conned Sh5 million by a man purporting to be a contractor in 2022.

An affidavit filed under miscellaneous application by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and seen by The Standard, indicated that Jematiah had contracted Vincent Ofwa to build a hotel at Marigat.

Ofwa allegedly told Jematiah that he was a contractor and would construct the hotel.

Senior Resident Magistrate Caroline Ateya heard that the suspect, however, failed to deliver even after payments of Sh5 million were made to him.

Prosecutor Joseck Abwajo requested five days to allow DCI officers to complete their investigations on the case after the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, May 3.

Abwajo said that the investigations on the bank statements of the suspects are still being monitored and transactions made by the suspect during the time the offence is said to have been committed.

"We are requesting for more days to hold the suspect to allow the officers to conduct further investigation on the case," Abwajo said.

The prosecution observed that the days were important to allow investigation officers to complete the investigations and determine if obtaining a charge would be preferred against the suspect.

It is alleged that the transaction took place in Nairobi, while the Woman Rep has been waiting for work to commence in Marigat but in vain.

So far, no written agreement among the duo has been presented in court, to ascertain if the transaction took place.

The court, however, released the suspect on a cash bail of Sh10,000 or a bond of Sh50,000.

The case will be mentioned on May 17.