Nairobi’s business and social circles are facing uncomfortable questions after the arrest of Kevin Otieno Onyango, widely known as Kevo Sonko, in connection with a gold scam that defrauded a Canadian investor of more than Ksh.79 million.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations says the scam was built on promises of shipping 250 kilograms of gold to Dubai by private jet an operation that never existed beyond words and documents.
Funds were transferred, but no gold ever left the country. This is not Otieno’s first encounter with the law; earlier this year he was accused in a separate Ksh.151 million mineral fraud case.
Authorities describe him as a man who flaunted wealth through luxury cars, high-end fashion, and expensive events, while investigators believe much of it was rooted in deception.
The story now extends beyond Otieno himself. His long-time friend Austine Bolo, a popular Nairobi fashion designer known as Bolo Bespoke, is being drawn into the public conversation.
Bolo has built a career dressing prominent personalities and winning industry recognition, but his association with Otieno has prompted speculation. The two share a long history, having grown up together in difficult circumstances before reconnecting in recent years. Bolo publicly celebrated their reunion on social media earlier this year, describing Otieno’s life as a story of resilience.
They have been photographed at high-profile events, including the Luo Festival, appearing close. With Otieno under investigation for serious financial crimes, that friendship is now viewed with more suspicion. While no evidence links Bolo to the gold scam, the connection invites scrutiny, especially in an industry where image and reputation are key.
In Nairobi’s social scene, proximity to “wash wash” figures a slang term for those suspected of money laundering or fake deals can have lasting consequences.
People are questioning whether Bolo’s work or clientele ever intersected with illicit money, and whether authorities will take a closer look at his business operations.
The investigation has revealed a wider network, including a lawyer, Michael Otieno Owano, who allegedly managed escrow accounts for the deal, and a Cameroonian national, Francis Talla Ouafo.
The DCI has signaled an aggressive push to dismantle such fraud rings, which undermine Kenya’s economic credibility and scare away genuine investors.
For designers, entrepreneurs, and influencers like Bolo, the lesson is clear close ties to controversial figures can quickly become liabilities.
The focus will remain on whether those in Otieno’s circle were innocent bystanders or part of the machinery that enabled such schemes.
For now, Bolo’s challenge is to protect his name and business from being overshadowed by an old friendship that is attracting the wrong kind of attention. In a city where appearances can make or break a career, distance from scandal may prove as important as talent or success.
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