NAIROBI, Kenya — Fresh details have emerged in the ongoing fraud case against Brian Reeves Obare, who is accused of orchestrating a Sh51 million visa scam, as a key prosecution witness testified before the Milimani Magistrates Court.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Bonventure Aradi, a director at Golden Key Travel Consultants Limited, told the court that the company engaged Obare in good faith, believing he had the capacity to facilitate Canadian visas for clients.
Testifying before Magistrate Paul Mutai, Aradi said the firm collected payments from clients seeking visa services and remitted the funds to the accused through official company channels.
He maintained that multiple employees were involved in processing transactions and documentation, insisting that the company operated transparently.
According to the testimony, payments totaling Sh51,244,650 were allegedly made under the belief that Obare had legitimate connections to the Canadian Embassy and could successfully process visa applications.
The court heard that the company also handed over clients’ passports and supporting documents to him.
However, none of the applications were successful. Some clients were allegedly denied boarding, arrested, or turned back during transit after their travel documents were found to be invalid, the court was told.
Aradi further testified that the company has since refunded more than Sh34 million to affected clients, while assisting others to travel to alternative destinations in Europe.
The prosecution alleges that Obare misrepresented himself as a Canadian consulate official.
Upon his arrest, investigators reportedly recovered additional identification documents, including a purported Seychelles ID and an expatriate employee card said to bear his name.
In related proceedings before the High Court of Kenya, a judge faulted a lower court decision to release items seized during Obare’s arrest at a pre-trial stage, terming the move premature and procedurally flawed.
The High Court directed that key items, including mobile phones, laptops, and a motor vehicle, remain in police custody pending investigations and trial.
Among the assets retained is a Land Rover Discovery (registration KDM 279R), whose ownership and possible connection to the alleged offence are yet to be established.
Several digital devices are currently undergoing forensic analysis and are expected to form part of the prosecution’s evidence.
Obare faces charges of obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code of Kenya.
The prosecution claims he deliberately misled the company and its clients, causing significant financial losses.
The case was initially handled by Magistrate Lucas Onyina, who later recused himself after indicating that the defence had allegedly approached him in an attempt to compromise the matter, an issue that adds a further layer of complexity to the proceedings.
The hearing continues, with prosecutors seeking to demonstrate that the accused orchestrated a coordinated scheme to defraud unsuspecting clients, as the court prepares to assess both documentary and digital evidence in the coming sessions.
