A 29-year-old caretaker employed at a private school in Kariobangi, Nairobi, has been exposed for impersonating the spouse of Kilifi Principal Magistrate, Ms Ivy Wasike.
The imposter identified as Mr Cryspinus Malenya Inyama from Khayega Sub-location in Kakamega county is facing charges of impersonation and cybersquatting after an alleged three-year-long deception.
Appearing before Kilifi Senior Resident Magistrate Daniel Sitati on Tuesday, Inyama was accused of exploiting financial gains and other benefits by posing as Ms Ivy Wasike’s spouse since 2020.
The suspect reportedly solicited money from the principal magistrate’s colleagues, friends and relatives using a Safaricom line that was formerly registered under the magistrate’s name.
Ms Wasike, who discovered the scheme, promptly reported the matter to Kilifi Police Station.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Kilifi arrested Inyama on January 15 in Nairobi.
Following his arrest, he was presented before the Kilifi Court, where investigators were granted a 14-day period to conclude their investigations.
However, the accused surprised the court on Tuesday by pleading guilty to the charges.
In her affidavit, Ms Wasike detailed her futile attempts to resolve the matter with Safaricom customer care, prompting her to take legal action.
The principal magistrate had registered a Safaricom line under her name between 2010 and 2011, which she continued to use until early 2020.
It was at this point that she discovered the same number was being used by an imposter.
The accused is scheduled to appear in court on February 13 for sentencing.
