Herbalist Vanishes After Conning Kenyans Sh1.7M in Busia And Threatened Victims With Death Using Ritual Snake

Police at Nambale Sub county in Busia have launched a manhunt for a Ugandan herbalist, suspected to have conned over 10 Kenyans of Sh1.7 million, while threatening to visit death on them by use of a ritual snake.

Kenyans who have filed reports in various police stations are demanding the immediate re-arrest of the suspect who was freed on a cash bail of Sh15,000 on Wednesday. The sus

Kenyans who have filed reports in various police stations are demanding the immediate re-arrest of the suspect who was freed on a cash bail of Sh15,000 on Wednesday.

The suspect is alleged to have managed to con the complainants through social media accounts, using the image and previous videos of Dr Paul Okello, a renowned herbalist from Kaliwa village.

Okello, who came out to clear his name before the press, is calling on police to move with speed and ensure justice for the Kenyans conned by the Ugandan who is on the run.

The suspect was arrested on July 8, 2025, at a private home, where he had rented and converted into an office.

His arrest came in the wake of a report to the police by the Kenyan herbalist, Okello, after he received information from people who were duped by the alleged conman, who was impersonating him. He said he accompanied the victims to report the matter.

He appealed to others who may have fallen into the impostor’s trap to come forward and report to the police.

Other victims while narrating their ordeals, recounted how the suspect lured them to a private residence in Nambale town, where they were threatened with death and other calamities after paying money.

Police say the suspect was released on a cash bail of Sh15,000 on Thursday and asked to report to the Station the following morning, which he failed to honour.

The incident happened amid concern over the increased criminal cases in the country, involving foreign nationals.

Recently in Nairobi, police arrested four suspects, following an incident where fraudsters conned an M-PESA agent of thousands of shillings, among other crimes.

An AK-47 rifle was found with one of the accomplices, a Ugandan national.

Last week, several Ugandan nationals were arrested on suspicion of killing children for food.

Their admission of involvement in cannibalism prompted the County Security leadership to order a census of foreigners living in West Pokot County.

According to the County Commissioner, the census is meant to establish the exact number of foreigners resident in West Pokot from neighbouring Uganda among other countries.