By Andrew Kariuki
A Nairobi man has been arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts and charged with multiple offences related to obtaining credit by false pretences, forgery and money laundering involving more than Ksh1.6 million.
Robert Barasa Karani appeared before court facing several counts after investigators alleged that he fraudulently obtained credit from Sidian Bank Limited by presenting falsified bank documents.
According to the charge sheet, Karani is accused of obtaining credit amounting to Ksh1,600,000 on April 3, 2025, at Sidian Bank’s Kawangware branch by presenting a forged Equity Bank loan account statement, contrary to Section 316(a) of the Penal Code.
In separate counts, the prosecution alleges that on the same date, Karani forged an Equity Bank loan account statement purporting it to be a genuine document issued in his name, contrary to Sections 345 and 349 of the Penal Code.
He is further accused of knowingly uttering the forged document to Sidian Bank as a genuine statement, contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code.
Karani also faces charges under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
The prosecution alleges that on April 10, 2025, he acquired Ksh1,259,799 through an Equity Bank account, knowing or having reason to believe that the funds constituted proceeds of crime obtained through false pretences.
Further, the accused is charged with using the said proceeds by transacting the amount through his bank account, contrary to Section 4(b) as read with Section 16(1)(a) of POCAMLA.
An alternative charge of possession of proceeds of crime has also been preferred.
The accused was arrested on January 8, 2026, and presented before court on January 9, 2026. He remains in custody pending further directions.
The court ordered that a pre-bail report be prepared and presented on Monday, January 12.
The matter will also be mentioned on the same date for further directions.
