Detectives from the Nairobi-based Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) have arrested a man who allegedly impersonated one of their own and defrauded an Ethiopian refugee of over Ksh3 million.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 11, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect, Rev. Richard Macharia Njuguna, scammed the refugee under the false promise of securing Kenyan citizenship.

DCI noted that the cleric, affiliated with the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA), was arrested following a complaint lodged at Capitol Hill Police Station.

"The suspect, Rev. Richard Macharia Njuguna, affiliated with the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Juja Farm under the Thika South Diocese of Kiambu County, was arrested at the Overstone Hotel in Ruiru area along the Eastern Bypass, following a complaint lodged at the Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi. The case was subsequently transferred to the ATPU for thorough investigation," the statement read.

According to the DCI, the scam unfolded between December 20, 2024 and February 12, 2025 when Njuguna presented himself as an ATPU officer assigned to the Directorate of Immigration Services. 

He convinced the refugee that he had the power to facilitate the acquisition of Kenyan citizenship.

"Investigations have since revealed that between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025, Rev. Njuguna, posing as an Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) officer attached to the Directorate of Immigration Services, cunningly duped the refugee into believing he could facilitate the acquisition of Kenyan citizenship, fraudulently obtaining a total of Ksh3,030,500 in the process," the statement continued.

Following the arrest, ATPU officers conducted a search at Njuguna’s residence in Kahawa West and also searched his vehicle. 

The operation yielded numerous incriminating items, including forged documents and wooden stamps associated with various government and judicial bodies.

"Following his arrest, detectives searched Njuguna's residence in Kahawa West and his vehicle. The search led to the recovery of incriminating evidence including a variety of documents and wooden stamps allegedly belonging to several institutions, such as the Chief Magistrate in Nairobi, Kenya Immigration Officer at JKIA, Immigration Control in Busia, the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Somalia, and the Ministry of Lands Head Office, among others," the statement added.

Rev. Njuguna is currently in custody as investigations continue. 

Authorities have confirmed that the seized items, along with his vehicle, will be held as exhibits in the case.