Quack Doctor Behind Bars for Swindling Patients out of their Trust and Money

By Dorothy Musyoka

A quack doctor who opened a medical clinic at Nairobi, Kayole Phase 1 while purporting to be a qualified medical officer thereby obtaining money from unsuspecting patients is behind bars.

James waweru aged 45, who falsely portrayed himself as a certified medical professional, deceiving unsuspecting patients to extract money, has been apprehended and is now serving a prison sentence.

This person exploited the trust of those seeking medical assistance, masquerading as a qualified practitioner while unlawfully profiting from their vulnerabilities.

A medical facility run by the suspected fake doctor. Photo | Courtesy

James Waweru Njenga was apprehended at his unlicensed healthcare facility named Axis Medical Clinic & Lab Services.

His arrest follows an investigation by detectives and officers from the Pharmacy & Poisons Board triggered by a complaint lodged by one of the victimized patients.

According to the filed complaint, the 31-year-old male victim reported that, between March 1 and March 27, 2024, Waweru charged him more than Ksh60,000 for sample tests conducted at different medical facilities across the country, before he diagnosed him with a liver disorder.

Despite the prescription, the patient’s condition deteriorated forcing him to seek the opinion of another specialist at the Nairobi West Hospital.

Starting their probe, investigators uncovered that the medical reports handed to the patient by the quack practitioner, who pretended to be a certified medical expert, allegedly originating from German Medical Centre, Jubaland Imaging Centre, and Mater Hospital, were all fabricated and fraudulent.

Medical equipment found in the medical centre including bottles of alcoholic drinks. Photo | Courtesy

According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board the suspect neither had any prove of registration as a medical officer, nor held a business registration certificate.

The suspect was detained by investigators from Kamukunji police station and comprehensive charges were filed against him.