Major bust: Police intercept Prado, seize KSh 334 million in fake currency
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Police in Uasin Gishu seized counterfeit cash worth KSh 334 million after intercepting a Prado in Kesses Constituency, uncovering fake Kenyan and US currency hidden in money boxes
- A middle‑aged suspect is in custody at Eldoret Central Police Station, while two occupants of the vehicle fled and are now the subject of a manhunt
- County Commander Wilberforce Sicharani hailed the bust as a major breakthrough against currency syndicates and urged residents to stay alert against scams
Police officers in Uasin Gishu County are holding a middle-aged man at the Eldoret Central Police Station after he was arrested on suspicion of producing and distributing fake currency.
Confirming the arrest, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander, Wilberforce Sicharani said the arrest is a breakthrough in the fight against counterfeit currency syndicate.
Speaking to the press after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI was granted permission by an Eldoret court to open two money boxes, Sicharani said the fake money was in the denomination of Kenya shillings and United States Dollars.
"We have counted the money in Kenyan currency and it is approximately 2,615,000 while the one in US dollars is 2,990,000 equivalent to KSh 334 million," Sicharani confirmed and added that 3,267 currency papers were found in the boxes.
Sicharani added that the man will be arraigned in court to face charges of manufacturing counterfeit currency.
The KSh 334 million fake currency was seized from a Prado vehicle that had been parked along the Old Nairobi Road in Kesses Constituency on 10 August 2026.
The County police boss revealed that the fake money was nabbed following an ambush laid by security officers who received intelligence report of suspicious activities along the busy road.
"Our officers on patrol and acting on intelligence report interrogated two occupants of the parked vehicle and they were very tough on our officers. When they were pressed further, the two men ran away leaving behind the vehicle," Sicharani stated and added that the vehicle was later towed to Eldoret Central Police station.
He added that police officers have launched a serious manhunt operation to nab the two suspects who were in the vehicle.
He further stated that their preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle had been hired from a car hiring company based in Kisumu.
Sicharani cautioned residents of Eldoret City, to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to counterfeit money scams.
"We are asking the people of Uasin Gishu especially those around the city to be very vigilant so they are not scammed by the unforgiving scammers," he warned.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.