Detectives in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, have arrested a man accused of defrauding a resident of Sh1.08 million in a land-leasing deal.
The suspect, identified as Philip Ouko Makete, is accused of falsely claiming ownership of a 30-acre piece of land in Saboti, which he allegedly offered for lease for sugarcane farming.
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Investigations indicate that Makete, working with alleged brokers, convinced a complainant to pay Sh1,080,000 for the lease.
The complainant later discovered that the land being offered did not exist, according to detectives.
Makete and the alleged brokers are said to have disappeared after receiving the money.
Detectives launched a search for the suspects and, using information gathered during the investigation, traced Makete to a hideout in Gatua, where he was arrested.
Makete is being held by police as detectives complete investigations before he is taken to court to face a charge of obtaining money by false pretences.
Police are also pursuing other suspects believed to have been involved in the alleged scheme and who remain at large.
