Meru MCA Aspirant Arrested For Defrauding Over Ksh.415K
Benson Thuranira Kathiai, a Meru County Member of County Assembly(MCA) aspirant has been arrested in connection with a number of fraud-related robbery instances reported around the country.
Lydia Kadima 
The MCA aspirant who has been eyeing Meru County's Muthara Ward is a member of the NARC Kenya party and is accused of receiving Ksh. 415,000 in cash from M-Pesa agents in Nakuru, Shauri Moyo, Busia, and Meru on various dates.
Thuranira could be the brains behind Nakuru County's renowned 'Confirm' gang, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“Thuranira, who is vying for the Muthara ward seat, was arrested by detectives, following numerous complaints from M-Pesa agents who had lost money to his machinations,” said the DCI.
“In Nakuru, the thug obtained Ksh.100 000 from two M-PESA agents before he obtained a further Ksh. 135,000 in Shauri Moyo, Ksh. 60,000 in Busia and Ksh. 120,000 in Meru before he was finally arrested.”
Thuranira was apprehended after an M-Pesa operator raised the alarm after noticing that the suspect's account had already been credited with Sh64,000.
"Thuranira entered an M-Pesa shop and asked the owner to deposit Sh64,000 in his mobile number. When the M-Pesa lady deposited, he manipulated his mobile phone, which could not reflect the deposit message. He, therefore, told the lady to return his cash which she did, but upon checking her message, she found out the money had already been deposited to Thuranira's account," Rift Valley DCI boss, Mwenda Meme said.
Thuranira will be held in police custody until May 30, 2022, when he will be arraigned and charged with fraud at the Nakuru Law Courts.
Detectives advised that Kenyans who believe they have been scammed should contact the nearest police station.
