Detectives Apprehend Fake DCI Officer Found With 19 Car Logbooks
A middle-aged man has been charged with impersonating a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) forensics specialist and soliciting tape-lifting services from motorists at Kiambu Road’s Ridgeways Centre.
Tape lifting is a process in which the DCI verifies a vehicle’s chassis number and engine number to ensure that they match the information provided in its registration records, thereby preventing vehicle theft and fraud.
Manace Otieno Ayata appeared before the Kahawa Law Courts on Friday and was released on a Ksh.500,000 bond with a similar surety, or a cash bail of Ksh.100,000.
On February 13, police caught Ayata when a motorist requested his services after being directed to him by the salesman, who claimed to work at the DCI Headquarters.
The driver had recently purchased an automobile for himself as a Valentine’s Day gift and wanted the chassis and engine numbers checked.
“Having agreed that he calls Ayata after arriving at the main entrance, the reportee drove all the way but on arrival at the gate failed to reach Ayata on the phone,” the DCI said in an X statement on Saturday.
FAKE FORENSIC EXPERT ARRESTED, ARRAINED
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 14, 2025
A duper found masquerading as a highly trained forensic expert offering tape-lift services at Kiambu Road's Ridgeways Centre has had his day in court today, following his arrest at the said operation base.
Manace Otieno Ayata, who… pic.twitter.com/9eJBATSGhG
“He, therefore, sought guidance from the security personnel who directed him to the Forensic Lab, where he hoped to meet ‘detective Ayata’.”
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact Ayata, the motorist approached a legitimate Chief Inspector of Police, who was also providing tape-lift services in the parking lot, and informed him that he had an appointment with Ayata.
“Taking it upon himself to find out who Manace Otieno Ayata was, the officer made numerous calls to colleagues but none happened to have ever heard of Ayata in the department or anywhere within the Headquarters,” said the DCI.
“But as fate would have it, Ayata, who happened to have stepped away from his phone, called back, right on cue for a showdown with real hawkshaws.”
Ayata stated to the motorist that he had left the office but could still meet him at Ridgeways Centre to provide the tape-lifting service. The DCI officer and the motorist agreed to play along.
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But before Ayata could respond, police officers swooped in and arrested him.
During the search, officers discovered 19 vehicle logbooks, 35 tape-lift complaints, several driver’s licenses, and National Identification cards from the suspect.
“A team of Serious Crimes detectives have launched a thorough probe into the case, as it is believed that the suspect could be a member of a larger organized criminal ring linked to motor vehicle theft,” said the DCI.
Ayata’s case has been set for mention on February 28, 2025.
Detectives Apprehend Fake DCI Officer Found With 19 Car Logbooks
