By Andrew Kariuki
The Milimani Magistrates Court has allowed detectives from DCI Parklands to detain a man accused of impersonating a Kenya Defence Forces brigadier and running a fraudulent military recruitment scheme, granting investigators seven days to complete inquiries into the case.
The suspect, Joshua Mutwii Maingi, was arrested on the night of November 17, 2025, at Chery Apartments in Kilimani after officers trailed him to a furnished unit where he allegedly posed as a senior KDF officer issuing fake Ministry of Defence calling letters to unsuspecting Kenyans.
Police told the court that Mutwii was found dressed in full Kenya Air Force regalia, complete with a brigadier’s rank, a name tag reading M.J. Muimi and gorget patches.
A search inside the apartment allegedly uncovered six admission letters, seven calling letters bearing the same serial number, seven fingerprint forms, a Yilmaz Defense Manufacturing Solutions manual, an ID card, a KCSE certificate believed to belong to a victim and a Toyota Axio, which was impounded.
Investigators said the arrest followed a report lodged at Parklands Police Station by a member of the public.
DCI officers also disclosed that military police who visited Parklands Station later that night informed them that a caller from Kericho, identified as Brenda Chepkorir, claimed she paid Ksh 510,000 to the suspect in exchange for placement into the Kenya Army.
Detectives now plan to trace her and record a statement.
The court was further told that police must submit the seized military uniform and documents to the Department of Defence (DoD) to verify their authenticity, a process whose timeline remains uncertain.
The DCI argued that the suspect is a flight risk since he has no known permanent residence and requested extended custody to complete critical investigations.
After reviewing the application and supporting affidavit, the court granted a seven-day custodial order, directing that Mutwii be held at Parklands Police Station to allow detectives to finalize inquiries into alleged personation under Section 382(1) of the Penal Code.
The matter will be mentioned after the seven days for compliance and further directions.
