BREAKING: Uasin Gishu Commander Wilberforce Sicharani Seizes Ksh334 Million Fake Dollars in Eldoret, One Suspect Held
During the search, officers also found additional bundles of papers used for making fake money and Kenyan currency notes amounting to Ksh3,267.
Uasin Gishu Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani. Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Uasin Gishu County Commander Wilberforce Sicharani has confirmed the seizure of suspected fake foreign and local currency valued at over Ksh334 million in an operation in Eldoret, with one suspect arrested and more suspects being pursued.
Speaking to the press in his office, Commander Sicharani said police intercepted a vehicle hired from Kisumu and recovered approximately $2,615,000 in suspected counterfeit US dollars, which police estimate to be Ksh334 million when converted to Kenyan currency.
“We have tried to count approximately two million six hundred fifteen thousand US dollars… If we convert it into Kenyan money it is million three hundred thirty four,” Sicharani stated.
During the search, officers also found additional bundles of papers used for making fake money and Kenyan currency notes amounting to Ksh3,267.
“Also inside there we found papers for making three thousand two hundred sixty seven money,” the commander said.
Police believe the consignment was intended to defraud unsuspecting residents of Eldoret City in the notorious wash-wash business where victims are tricked into believing they are receiving genuine dollars.
“This money we suspect is not legal money and we have one suspect and he continues to assist us in a state of investigation,” Sicharani said.
The commander said the suspect will be arraigned in court where detectives will seek custodial orders to finalize investigations. The exhibits will be forwarded to the Central Bank of Kenya for expert verification.
“We want to send it to the experts where it is Central Bank of Kenya so they can help us verify,” he said.
Sicharani also revealed that investigations have been extended to Kisumu to establish who hired the vehicle that transported the fake currency and who else was inside the car at the time.
“We will know who went to hire this vehicle there in Kisumu. Technology will help us know who was inside that car,” he assured.
In a strong advisory to the public, the county commander warned Eldoret residents to be vigilant when handling large amounts of money, especially US dollars, noting that several people have already lost money to fraudsters.
“Our citizens in the city of Eldoret should be very careful when they are given money or when they receive money like this. They went and were told and they got money which is bad,” he warned.
The latest seizure adds to recent successes under Sicharani’s leadership, including the recovery of over 4,000 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer in Kabenes and Ziwa areas last month.
Commander Sicharani, who took over as Uasin Gishu County Commander in May 2026 after serving as Gigiri Sub-County Commander in Nairobi, has vowed to intensify the crackdown on economic crimes, counterfeit goods and criminal gangs in the county.
Police are urging members of the public with information on fake currency syndicates to report to the nearest police station or via police hotlines.
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