Former Aspiring Nyakach MP Jonathan Okoth Opande Arrested In Ksh.100M Fake Gold Scam
A Nyanza politician will spend the weekend in police custody after he was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) aboard a Kisumu-bound plane.
Jonathan Okoth Opande, who unsuccessfully contested the Nyakach Constituency Parliamentary seat on an independent ticket in the 2022 General Election, is suspected of having swindled two Thai nationals more than Ksh.100 million in a fake gold scam.
Detectives recovered fake gold bars and pellets in addition to a makeshift smelting machine in his office in the Lavington area along Loyangalani Drive of Nairobi even as he claimed he was politically targeted.
Detectives had raided a house converted into a lavish office belonging to Opande who, in cuffs, followed through as the sleuths broke one door after another in his bungalow.
An array of documentation was also recovered and is yet to be authenticated from the Ministry of Mining Licences in Nairobi County business permits.
Company seals were also not left behind; In one of the compartments Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) export seals were recovered.
To make the scam real, according to detectives, the scammers used labeled dust coats branded Ministry of Mining.
In the backyard detached from the main house and where the high-level victims are never brought was a structure used as the smelting hub.
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In the structure complete with gas cylinders and burners, the smelting happens where metals are smelted to take the form of golden bars and pellets.
Detectives impounded the paraphernalia used to melt metals, smelt mostly brass, that is then polished to deceive unsuspecting victims that it is gold.
In the far corner of the property was a store where metal boxes with export and import stickers were recovered.
Opande is suspected of having swindled Thai nationals, Kitvisit Songsri and Nutsaphol Songsri working with a company by the name of Thai Lion Gold Limited, Ksh.100 million in the purchase of fake gold.
He however denies saying that his company, Abisai Global Limited, is legit.
“I’m duly registered to trade in gold since 2021…even to this day, I have a license…I’m a buyer and exporter…I check and authenticate, if it is good I sell,” he said.
Opande blamed his woes on a political witch hunt.
“I’m being persecuted because of the stand I have taken on the Sondu clashes, nothing more than that,” he claimed.
Detectives however differ with his assertions saying that investigations into the Ksh.100 million gold scam began in February this year, after the victims reported the matter to the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi.
Opande who will remain in custody for the weekend is expected to be arraigned on Monday for the plea.
Former Aspiring Nyakach MP Jonathan Okoth Opande Arrested In Ksh.100M Fake Gold Scam