By Andrew Kariuki
Tears flowed at the Milimani Magistrates Court as Ian Njuguna, visibly shaken, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of insurance fraud and forgery involving more than Ksh 680,000.
The accused admitted to forging medical documents and falsifying claims from APA Insurance Company using receipts and reports purportedly issued by Baragoi Catholic Nursing Home.
According to court documents, Njuguna unlawfully received Ksh 503,571 in premium payments and Ksh 109,258 in medical expenses by submitting fake invoices and medical reports claiming to have been hospitalized following a road accident.
Further investigations revealed that the supposed accident never happened and the documents presented were forgeries.
The prosecution outlined 10 charges against him, including insurance fraud, forgery and obtaining money by false pretenses under the Penal Code and Insurance Act.
Njuguna admitted that between August 2024 and March 2025, he falsified medical receipts, reports and invoices to claim reimbursement for a pre-existing condition not covered under his policy.
During his plea, the accused broke down in tears, telling the court that he was battling illness and financial hardship when he committed the offenses.
In an emotional moment, he turned toward his mother seated in court, who wept as she begged the magistrate for leniency, describing her son as epileptic, remorseful, and determined to change his life.
“I am deeply sorry for my mistakes. I was sick and desperate. I have learned from this experience,” Njuguna told the court.
In a lighthearted exchange, he even offered to volunteer with the Social Health Authority to help detect and prevent insurance fraud cases.
The court ordered a pre-sentencing report before determining the appropriate punishment, emphasizing that while remorse was evident, the crimes involved deliberate deception for personal gain.
Sentencing will be delivered once the probation report is filed.
