A South Sudanese national, John Tong Boul Majuach, is in custody in Nairobi over allegations that he defrauded a Kenyan businessman of Sh2.1 million in a fake company registration scheme.
The situation has taken a darker turn, with reports that Majuach has threatened to kill a Kenyan blogger covering the story, leading to calls from some quarters for his deportation and for authorities to take the threats seriously.
Majuach appeared before Principal Magistrate Daisy Mutai at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, where prosecutors leveled charges of obtaining money by false pretences and handling proceeds of crime.
He is accused of tricking businessman John Stephen Njoroge Macharia into believing he could register a branch of Nairobi Projectors Limited in South Sudan, a promise investigators say he knew was false from the start.
Plea-taking was put on hold after Majuach’s lawyer asked for more time to explore an out-of-court settlement with the complainant.
The court allowed the request, reflecting Kenya’s growing interest in alternative dispute resolution for financial disputes, and set the next hearing for June 6, 2026. In the meantime, Majuach remains held at Kilimani Police Station.
The prosecution has also hit him with 13 additional counts related to the acquisition and use of proceeds of crime, significantly raising the stakes if the case proceeds to trial.
This case is part of a wider pattern of cross-border fraud in East Africa, where con artists promise investment opportunities or government connections.
Authorities have increasingly used anti-money laundering laws alongside traditional fraud charges to crack down on such schemes.
When Majuach returned to court on June 6, the magistrate decided whether a settlement has been reached or if he will formally enter a plea, potentially setting the stage for a lengthy criminal trial.
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