Conman Sells Salt Block for Sh. 300,000 As Precious Stone

Eldama Ravine

Friday, August 4, 2023

KNA by Sarah Kamande and Christopher Kiprop

There was laughter at Eldama Ravine law courts after a witness explained how a complainant was duped to purchase some precious stones only to realize after the deal it was a salt block.

The court learnt that Christine Cherono Rono was swindled sh. 300,000 in the pretext of buying a precious stone that turned out to be a livestock salt block.

Alvin Kipchirchir, Emmanuel Kibiwot the first and second accused together with Gibson Kiprono and Japheth Koech who are still at large managed to perform the trick on the lady, a worker at Kenya Industrial Estate in Kericho.

The court audience felt sorry for the woman but could restrain their amusement on the wittiness of the scammers on how they systematically executed their deception.

On 20th May, 2020 Daniel Kirui was running a barber shop at Kabimoi town as usual when his mother in law paid him a visit and explained to him that she had some business she wanted to get involved in but first she wanted to meet her partner at Oloika hotel in Kabarak.

“She explained to me that Jesse Kimutai her son who was a student at Emining technical college was aware of an elder with a precious stone believed to be a meteorites ore that falls from the sky and has great value,” Stated Daniel.

“On 22nd May, 2020 my mother in law came back to me and requested me to accompany her to Emining. On our way she explained to me that she had taken a loan of three hundred thousand Kenyan shillings from cooperative bank to run this business,” said Kirui.

Kirui testified that his mother-in-law gave him sh. 100,000 to carry and on reaching Emining they met the son Jesse who took them to the house where the business was to be conducted.

“On reaching to the house we met four men who were the sellers of the said precious stone and they presented the stone wrapped greatly and when I requested them to open they said that the buyer had seen the stone earlier and it was wrapped while she was watching so there was no need of opening it again,” added Kirui.

The witness said that they gave them a copy of drafted agreement which they were to sign and write their ID no and attach the photocopies of their identity cards which they did. 

“My mom in law took the stone which was wrapped in a blue carrier bag and gave them the money she had and requested me to give out the other money she had given me earlier, I however noticed that the sellers were unease while counting it and I secretly filmed a video with my phone.” explained Kirui

Kirui further narrated to the Resident Magistrate Alice Towett that they opened the package the following day after they found the office they were to sell to in Nakuru closed and to their shock they discovered that it was just a livestock salt block.

“On the following day I called a friend of mine who is a police officer and explained to him the encounter and he advised me to report the matter to DCI office in Mogotio where I reported the matter and wrote a statement,” Added Kirui.

The prosecution led by Senior Counsel Martha Ndung`u presented the livestock salt block, the blue carrier bag, the video and cling wrap used to wrap the stone as exhibits to the court.

Hon. Towett ruled that the two accused had a case to answer and placed them on defence hearing slated for 8th November 2023 where they will use unsworn witnesses.

Courtesy ; K. N. A