Student charged with extorting MPs

By Lucianne Limo

Nairobi, Kenya: A form three student has been charged before a Nairobi court with attempting to extort cash from three MPs while masquerading as OCPD.

Nicholas Mulwa Mbaluka admitted that he attempted to extort a total of Sh90,000 from the legislators of diverse dates between September and December last year.

The court heard that Mbaluka sent a text message to Kitui West MP Charles Nyamai identifying himself as OCPD Makueni and asked for Sh30,000 to settle a hospital bill for a relative.

He is accused of sending another text message to Mwingi South MP David Musila asking for Sh30,000 to meet funeral expenses for his in-law. He identified himself as OCPD Mwingi.

The accused is said to have sent a third text message to Kitui South MP Isaac Muoki asking for Sh30,000 pretending he was OCPD Makueni.

The prosecutor told the court that Mbaluka sent an abusive text message to Muoki after he failed to send the cash and the MP reported the matter to the police.

The accused told the court that he was a student and sent the messages while on midterm.

Nairobi Chief Magistrate Kiarie Waweru directed the accused be remanded until January 31 when he will be sentenced.