Angry residets jam Migori Law Courts where a Manager from Smart Life Credit was arraigned./IAN BYRON
Detectives in Migori County have launched an investigation into syndicate involving Smart Life Credit Limited, a microfinance following a public outcry.
The micro finance, according to Migori County police commander Mr Benson Nguli had defrauded over 3000 residents in guise of offering soft loans, “only to end up swindling the monies before attempting to close the premise” located within Migori town.
Stung by the delays and apparent mischief from the company’s management, irate members of the public stormed the premise and were about to flush out the officials when police were called to restore sanity.
The branch manager was arrested during the ensuing melee as other employees scampered for safety.
Police confirmed that the company had fraudulently obtained more than Sh 10 million from unsuspecting clients, majority being small scale traders and boda boda riders.
“We received intel from members of the public that a furious crowd had surrounded the premises occupied by Smart Life Credit and were forcing their way into offices. Our offices swiftly moved to the scene and established that the irate mob had been conned and wanted back their money,” said the police boss.
On Thursday, the irate residents camped at Migori Police Station recording statements before they frog matched the suspect to Migori Law Courts but could not take plea as officers investigating the matter sough more time to sieve through evidence.
Through a miscellaneous application, a detective investigating the matter sought more time to complete investigation before preferring charges against the company’s manager.
“Owing to the aggression by the members of the public and sensitivity of the matter, I seek more time to record statements from the complainants before we press charges. Setting the suspect free may not only put his life to a risk but may also jeopardize our investigations,” one of the detective told the court.
Migori Senior Principal Margistrate Naomi Wairimu directed that the Suspect David Otieno be remanded for fourteen days pending investigations.
The matter is set for mention on February 7.
Some of the residents told KTMN NEWS that the micro finance had withheld their monies since September 2023 in guise of giving out dividends, only to learn in January that they had been conned.
“I deposited Sh 45,000 alongside my guarantor and was expecting a loan of Sh 200000 but this has not been processed to date. I’ve been making several follow ups yet nobody is giving an explanation regarding the monies,” said Ms Sharon Awino, one of the affected.
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