Nairobi Caretaker Charged with Impersonating Principal Magistrate’s Spouse for 3 Years

Since 2020, Cryspinus Malenya Inyama, a 29-year-old caretaker at a private school in Kariobangi, Nairobi, has asserted a false romantic relationship with Kilifi Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike.

Exploiting this deception, Inyama, now facing charges, is accused of obtaining a significant sum of money and other benefits through cybersquatting and financial manipulation. This deceit spanned three years, as confirmed by the court. On Tuesday, Inyama, hailing from the Khayega sub-location in Kakamega County, appeared before Kilifi Senior Resident Magistrate Daniel Sitati. He faces allegations of soliciting money from Wasike’s associates by using a Safaricom line previously registered under the magistrate’s name.

The charges specify that between December 27, 2023, and January 8, 2024, Inyama impersonated Ivy Wasike in communications with Dr. Vincent Chokaa, a High Court advocate, leading to charges of defrauding Dr. Chokaa. The case originated from Wasike’s report to Kilifi Police Station under reference number OB/31/09/01/2024. The court-sanctioned investigation period was set at 14 days, culminating in Inyama’s guilty plea on Tuesday.

His sentencing is scheduled for February 13. Wasike, frustrated by Safaricom customer care’s lack of assistance despite reporting the issue three times, resorted to legal action. At the time of arrest, Inyama had just received Sh2,000 from Dr. Chokaa after requesting “Christmas” in a WhatsApp message. Magistrate Wasike, who obtained the Safaricom line in 2010-2011, registered it under her name. However, in early 2020, she discovered someone else was using the same number, prompting her to abandon it.

Despite reaching out to Safaricom customer care for assistance, she received none, learning that the number had been reassigned to another subscriber. According to court documents, Inyama acquired a list of contacts from Wasike’s previous phone and engaged in false communication via WhatsApp messages and calls, posing as the magistrate’s future spouse.

“This created a negative image and perception about me and my colleagues and judges since whenever we met for official or social gatherings, they kept asking me about the type of man in my life, and how he carried himself,” Wasike says.