Meru, Kenya: Meru County residents have been warned about a notorious conman on the loose who has previously escaped from police custody in mysterious circumstances. The man has been posing as the National Coordinator of World Vision Kenya, deceiving people he was in a position of securing them jobs at refugee camps and poverty eradication projects. Several Meru residents are the latest victims of the man, whose names released by World Vision and police are Dr Paul Omondi Ayoki, alias Paul Ayoki alias Paul Omondi Aluso. His latest scam targeted nine locations in Meru County, namely Katheri West, Kianjogu, Chugu, Muthara, Kiirua, Thau,Kieng’o, Amwathi, Kindani and Kianjogu. Commit fraud The said conman called the areas’ chiefs and asked them to provide names and telephone contacts of youths aged between 18 and 35 years and who had obtained a mean grade of D and above in the KCSE, and willing to work on a new poverty eradication project in nine locations of the county. The smooth-talking conman was able to sweet talk several of them into sending him between Sh2,000 each and Sh9,000, apparently to get their contract forms. The chiefs blew the whistle after the conman had defrauded a number of the youths who were eager to get involved in the project. Katheri West chief Salome Nguta’s daughter who has a Masters in Business Administration, was asked for Sh9,000 and was to be contracted as the coordinator of the project in the location. The conman had obtained the contacts of the chiefs through an unsuspecting Meru-based journalist. The journalist, out of goodwill, had even contacted leaders, including MPs, to know the most needy locations in the county. According to Julius Mutuku, the National Security and Safety Officer of World Vision Kenya, the conman has been using the organisation’s name to commit fraud.
By Strive Masiyiwa A few weeks ago I went to the doctor. I will tell you what he said about my health at the end, but first read this: Twenty years ago, I arranged to meet a well-known British international businessman who invested a lot in Africa at the time. We agreed to meet for dinner at a leading hotel in London. After a good meeting, we started to walk out of the restaurant when he suddenly collapsed in the lobby. There was total pandemonium as they rushed to get medical assistance. Being London, an ambulance arrived in minutes. I jumped in the back with him as paramedics wrestled to keep him alive. He had had a heart attack and had to have triple bypass heart surgery. Sadly he died a few weeks later. He hadn't been sick and his sudden death surprised everyone. And yet as I reflected on it, and later discussed it with a doctor friend who knew him, I realized he was very laid back about his health despite having a hectic business life. Even during our dinner...
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