Four men have been re-arraigned over the fraudulent replacement of a Safaricom SIM card belonging to former Central Police OCS Samson Talaam.
The suspects – Brian Ronoh Kiprotich, Amos Nzomo Kimanzi, James Mutemi Munyithya, and Dennis Masavi Musimi – face 12 counts, including conspiracy to commit a felony, computer fraud, identity theft, and unlawful possession and use of multiple national ID cards.
According to the charge sheet, the group conspired between June 16 and 19, 2025, to illegally replace Talaam’s SIM card before using it to solicit money from unsuspecting members of the public.
“The four, on diverse dates between June 16 and 19, with others not before court, conspired to commit a felony, namely computer fraud, whereby you fraudulently or dishonestly replaced SIM card no. 0722919880 belonging to Talaam Samson Kiprotich and unlawfully solicited money from members of the public for your own gain,” the charge sheet states.
Prosecutors further claim that Kiprotich accessed the officer’s M-Pesa account and withdrew funds using confidential PINs.
The court heard that police arrested Brian Ronoh Kiprotich on July 20, 2025, in Embakasi Pipeline, where he was found with at least seven identity cards belonging to different people. Among the names listed were Elisha Siele, Robert Mwinzi Mulango, Stephen Wambua Mutheki, Nzuva Masila, Geoffrey Kipkoech Rono, Nicholas Ouma Ouma, and Patrick Agesa Muhonja.
Separately, prosecutors accused James Mutemi Munyithya of unlawfully using Amos Nzomo Kimanzi’s ID card to register a mobile line and activate a handset tied to the alleged fraud scheme.
During the bail hearing, lawyer Danstan Omari, representing Talaam, urged the court to cancel the bond terms earlier issued by Magistrate Dolphina Alego, warning that releasing the suspects would endanger the public.
“This is the first time an exhibit in the hands of IPOA has been accessed in a manner we cannot comprehend,” Omari told the court. “If these accused are released, many Kenyans are likely to suffer. Our monies are not safe with such people roaming free.”
Omari also requested a pre-bail report, arguing that the severity of the charges and ongoing police investigations required stricter conditions.
Defense lawyers objected to the plea, arguing that bail is a constitutional right and that the prosecution did not present compelling grounds to restrict it.
“The right to bail is not absolute, but in this case, no justification has been given to restrict it,” counsel for the accused submitted, urging the court to uphold the existing bond terms.
The magistrate ruled that the court would revisit the bail issue after receiving the pre-bail report.
The case will resume on September 18, 2025, for pre-trial directions.
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