NAIROBI, Kenya — A Nairobi court has heard how a suspected multi-million shilling visa scheme allegedly left dozens of Kenyans stranded abroad, deported, or financially exposed, as proceedings continue against a man accused of orchestrating the operation.
Brian Reeves Obare is facing fraud charges at the Milimani Law Courts over an alleged KSh51 million visa scam targeting individuals seeking travel to Canada.
During Wednesday’s hearing before Paul Mutai, Bonventure Aradi, a director at Golden Key Travel Consultants Limited, told the court that the firm engaged the accused in good faith.
Aradi said the company believed Obare had the capacity to facilitate Canadian visas and had legitimate links to diplomatic channels.
According to his testimony, Golden Key collected payments from clients and remitted the funds—totalling more than KSh51 million, to the accused through official company channels. He added that multiple employees handled the transactions and documentation, insisting the firm operated transparently.
The court heard that clients also handed over passports and supporting documents as part of the visa application process.
However, none of the applications were successful. Aradi told the court that several clients were allegedly denied boarding, arrested, or turned back at transit points after their travel documents were deemed invalid.
He added that the company has so far refunded more than KSh34 million to affected clients, while some were assisted to travel to alternative destinations in Europe.
Prosecutors further allege that Obare posed as a Canadian consulate official to gain credibility.
Following his arrest, investigators reportedly recovered additional identification documents, including what were described as a fake Seychelles ID and an expatriate employee card, both allegedly bearing his name and said to have expired on October 30, 2024.
In parallel proceedings at the High Court, a judge criticised an earlier decision by a lower court to release items seized during the arrest at a pre-trial stage, ruling that the move was premature.
The court directed that key exhibits, including mobile phones, laptops, and a motor vehicle—remain in police custody pending investigations and trial.
Among the items retained is a Land Rover Discovery (registration KDM 279R), with the court noting that its ownership and potential link to the alleged offence must be established during the trial.
Several digital devices are currently undergoing forensic analysis and are expected to form part of the prosecution’s case.
Obare has been charged with obtaining KSh51,244,650 by false pretences, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that he deliberately misrepresented his ability to process visas, thereby causing financial losses to both the agency and individual clients.
Also Read: Kenya rescues 20 youths lured into overseas job scams
The case was initially presided over by Magistrate Lucas Onyina, who later recused himself after indicating that the defence had allegedly approached him in an attempt to compromise the matter.
The case reflects a broader pattern of visa and travel-related fraud targeting Kenyan job seekers and travellers amid growing demand for overseas opportunities.
Authorities, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, have in recent years warned of increasingly sophisticated scams involving forged documents, impersonation of embassy officials, and fake travel agencies.
Experts say such schemes often exploit limited public awareness of official visa procedures and the absence of direct embassy engagement in private processing arrangements.
The hearing is ongoing, with prosecutors seeking to demonstrate that the accused allegedly ran a coordinated scheme to defraud unsuspecting clients.
