A Nairobi-based businessman was on Monday charged at the Milimani Law Courts with defrauding a foreign investor of over Sh223 million in a fake gold deal.
David Onyango Ochanda appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego, where he denied two counts related to conspiracy to steal and obtaining money by false pretences.
According to the charge sheet, Ochanda, together with others already charged in court, is accused of conspiring to steal USD 1,271,200.74 (approximately Sh223,756,000) from an American national, Tanner Caldwell Cook.
The alleged offence occurred between March 31 and May 30, 2024, in Nairobi.
The prosecution alleges that the accused falsely claimed he was in a position to sell 2,820 kilograms of gold to Mr. Cook, a fact he knew to be untrue.
In the second count, Ochanda faces a charge of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.
The court heard that during the same period and under similar circumstances, the accused received the funds from the complainant under the guise of a gold sale transaction.
During the bail hearing, the defence lawyer pleaded for leniency, arguing that the accused is not a flight risk and has a fixed residence.
The prosecution did not oppose the application for bail.
Magistrate Alego granted Ochanda a bond of Sh4 million with two sureties of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000.
The court also directed the accused to deposit his passport and other travel documents to ensure he does not leave the jurisdiction.
The matter will be mentioned on September 8, 2025, for pre-trial directions.
