By Andrew Kariuki
Bonventure Aradi, a director at Golden Key Travel Consultants Limited, has testified in court detailing how he was allegedly misled by alleged serial fraudster, Brian Reeves Obare in a scheme that saw more than Ksh51 million paid out for visa processing that never materialised.
Appearing before the Milimani Law Courts during cross-examination, Aradi explained that the company engaged the accused in good faith, believing he had the capacity and connections to facilitate Canadian visas.
He told the court that payments were made to Obare through the company’s internal processes, with staff acting on behalf of the business.
“Employees of Golden Key were sending money to Brian… on behalf of the company,” Aradi stated, maintaining that the transactions were conducted within official company operations rather than as personal dealings.
Aradi emphasized that the firm relied on the representations made by the accused, forwarding funds collected from clients for what they believed was legitimate visa processing.
During his testimony, he also confirmed his role in the company and acknowledged that multiple employees were involved in handling documentation and payments, reinforcing that the accused was the primary recipient of the funds in question.
“Golden Key has employees… and those employees send money to Brian,” he reiterated, underscoring that the accused was central to the entire transaction chain.
The court further heard that the company has since been forced to refund over Ksh34 million to affected clients, while some others opted to be facilitated to alternative destinations in Europe after the visa process failed.
Additional details presented in court indicate that Obare allegedly represented himself as a Canadian consulate official. Upon his arrest, officers reportedly recovered a fake Seychelles identification card and an expatriate employee card from Seychelles listing him as a demarcation officer under the Ministry of Lands and Housing. Both documents bore his full name and were said to have expired on the same date, October 30, 2024.
The case relates to charges against Obare for obtaining Ksh51,244,650 by false pretences, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code. Prosecutors allege that he falsely presented himself as capable of processing Canadian visas, leading to financial losses for both the agency and its clients.
In related proceedings before the High Court, the court declined to release items recovered during the arrest, including mobile phones, laptops and a motor vehicle, ruling that they must remain in custody pending trial.
“I find that it is/was premature to release the items at the Pre-Trial stage,” the court held, adding that, “the orders were in breach of procedure and were tainted by illegality.”
Among the things the court declined to release was Land Rover Discovery motor vehicle KDM 279R, noting that its ownership and potential link to the alleged offence must first be established during trial proceedings.
The court emphasized that exhibits must remain under the custody of investigating officers until they are formally produced in evidence during trial.
The matter was initially before magistrate Lucas Onyina but he recused himself after the defense allegedly approached him trying to compromise the case.
Aradi’s testimony supports earlier evidence presented in court indicating that despite substantial payments, none of the applicants successfully travelled, with some reportedly denied boarding, arrested, or turned back during transit after their documents were found to be invalid.
