26 Suspects Nabbed as Agencies Crack Down on Fraudulent Acquisition of Government Documents
Those arrested ranged from senior officers within the Registrar of Persons to freelance intermediaries accused of linking clients to corrupt officials.
The DCI emphasized that the crackdown is part of a larger effort to dismantle criminal networks that compromise the integrity of Kenya’s identification system, undermining national security. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
A joint security operation has led to the arrest of 26 people accused of running an elaborate network that permitted the illegal issuance of vital government identification documents. The suspects are believed to have facilitated the irregular processing of national ID cards, passports, birth certificates, and alien registration documents by exploiting loopholes within government systems.
The operation, which was coordinated for two days, was led by the DCI with support from other agencies and targeted an entrenched network linking rogue civil servants, chiefs, brokers, and private financiers. The investigators said this syndicate uses its influence within the National Registration Bureau and the Department of Immigration to fast-track document processing in exchange for illegal payments.
According to the DCI, the syndicate circumvented legal procedures through abusing privileged access to sensitive government databases and registration equipment. The detectives say their activities left gaping national security loopholes that allowed unvetted people to acquire official documents that would see them travel, reside, or operate in Kenya with ease.
These officers raided several homes and offices connected to the operation and managed to recover a wide collection of government-issued materials that should never leave designated registration points. They also seized blank and pre-filled application forms, fingerprint-capturing gadgets, official birth and death certificates, passports, government seals, and other tools used for processing personal identification documents.
The arrests were made across various locations in Nairobi, including Eastleigh, Kamukunji, Kariokor and Embakasi, and key government head offices. Those arrested ranged from senior officers within the Registrar of Persons to freelance intermediaries accused of linking clients to corrupt officials.
Among those arrested are:
Judy Kemunto Ondari (Registrar of Persons, Embakasi), Moses Mugoya Margaret (Clerk, Registrar of Persons – NSSF), Ruth Osebe Sukuru (Registrar of Persons, Kamukunji), Jawahir Mohamed Muse (Assistant Chief, Eastleigh North), Moulid Yusuf Dige (Businessman), Mohamed Issack Gedow (Assistant Chief, Eastleigh), Abdirizak Osman Rage (Freelance agent), Alfred Opia Ayaway (Freelance agent), Abdirizak Abdi (Electronics technician), Abdirashid Mohamed Ali (Clerk, Shima Group International), Festus Bahati Chai (Fingerprint Technician, Registrar of Persons – Head Office), Abdirizack Bashir Farah (Freelance agent), Samatar Osman Robne (Businessman), Fuadh Bulle Mohamed (Businessman), Geoffrey Mokoro Mutanya (Clerk, Immigration Head Office), Joseph Mwendwa Munyithia (Registrar of Persons, Kariokor), AbdiKadir Mohamed Dahir (Businessman), Berrick Kororia Maghas Sukuru (Registrar of Persons, Kamukunji), David Korir (Clerk, Registrar of Persons – Head Office), Titus Mwanga Nthenge (Senior Subordinate Staff, Registrar of Persons – Head Office), Yahya Daud Manor, Issack Abdow Mohammed, Nelson Katana Kazungu, Daniel Munywoki Kavuwa, Abdullahi Abdi Khamisi and Abdirahman Roba Guyo. Authorities say all suspects are being held for further interrogation and will be presented in court once investigations are complete. The DCI emphasized that the crackdown is part of a larger effort to dismantle criminal networks that compromise the integrity of Kenya’s identification system, undermining national security.
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