Former Tigania East Member of Parliament Josephat Gichunge Kabeabea will remain in custody after a Milimani Law Courts magistrate directed that he be held until June 17, 2026, when the court will rule on his bond application in a case linked to an alleged Sh22.5 million fraud scheme.
The former legislator, also known as Kabeabea and a former chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, is facing 24 counts of obtaining money by false pretences in connection with a greenhouse horticulture investment scheme involving multiple investors.
His arrest came after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters’ Land Fraud Investigations Unit tracked him down on the strength of a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kajiado after he allegedly failed to honour court summons. He is currently in custody undergoing processing and is expected to be transferred to Kajiado once proceedings at Milimani are concluded.
According to investigators, Gichunge is accused of orchestrating two separate land-related schemes through Diamond Property Merchants (DPM) Ltd, which together resulted in losses exceeding Sh56 million.
In the first case, complainants told investigators that in 2016 they purchased plots measuring 50 by 100 feet from the company and entered into individual agreements, making payments directly into its bank accounts, amounting to a total of Sh16.4 million.
“The victims believed they had secured ownership of the plots, only to later discover that the land had been transferred to other individuals without their knowledge, while subdivision was carried out without their consent,” the DCI stated.
In a second scheme, investors said they were persuaded to purchase parcels of land in Kajiado advertised alongside greenhouse farming infrastructure. They paid a total of Sh40.14 million, expecting title deeds and completed greenhouse installations, which were never delivered.
Investigators found that the promised developments were not carried out and the title documents were never transferred to the investors. The matter was later forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who approved charges of obtaining money by false pretences.
In court, the prosecution opposed Gichunge’s release on bond, arguing that he is a flight risk and pointing to a related matter in Kajiado where another warrant of arrest remains active.
“The accused is facing multiple counts and there is a real risk that he may fail to attend trial if released,” the prosecution told the court.
His defence team objected, arguing that he should be released on bond, stating that bail is a constitutional right and noting his status as a former public official.
“The accused ought to be granted bond as he is entitled under the Constitution and is not a flight risk,” his lawyer submitted.
In a brief ruling, the magistrate ordered that Gichunge remain in custody pending determination of his bond application. Court orderlies later escorted him back to prison custody.
