By Peter John
A Nairobi man accused of impersonating a senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer and defrauding multiple victims has been released on bail after denying all charges before the Milimani Law Courts.
Joshua Muthwii Maingi, 48, was arraigned after his arrest on 17 November, 2025, at Cherrywood Apartments in Kilimani, where police allege he had represented himself as a Brigadier in the Kenya Air Force.
According to the prosecution, Maingi is facing four counts, including personation, possession of public stores, and obtaining money by false pretenses.
In the first count, the prosecution claims that Maingi falsely presented himself as a senior KDF officer with the intent to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
Police further stated that upon searching his residence, they recovered a Kenya Air Force combat uniform, two Brigadier slip-ons, gorget patches, and an Air Force badge—items suspected to be public stores unlawfully obtained.
Maingi is also accused of obtaining money from several victims by promising to secure admission letters to the Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training School (RTS) at Moi Barracks in Eldoret.
In one incident dated 7 October, 2025, he allegedly received KSh 700,000 from Kenneth Lomerical Kimaiwa after claiming he could help Kimaiwa’s son join the military.
A separate charge from 10, November, 2025, alleges he received KSh 510,000 from Robert Kipkurui Ngetich under similar pretenses, this time involving Ngetich’s daughter.
Appearing before the court, Maingi pleaded not guilty to all counts.
His lawyer requested lenient bail and bond terms, arguing that Maingi is a family man, a husband and father, and earns a living through procurement work.
The defence further informed the court that Maingi is diabetic and relies on a specific diet, which they said made bail consideration a matter of humanitarian concern.
His family members, who are in contact with him, expressed readiness to act as contact persons should the court impose cash bail through Maingi’s lawyer.
After considering the submissions from both sides, the magistrate granted Maingi a bond of KSh 1 million or alternative cash bail of KSh 500,000 with one contact person.
Maingi will return before magistrate court on 9 December, 2025, for a pre-trial mention as the case proceeds to hearing.
