A man who attempted to gain entry into military barracks by impersonating a KDF officer has been jailed three years, a Nanyuki court ruled on Thursday. Gilbert Kibiego, 40, was found guilty of three counts – impersonation, possession of military uniform and entering a protected area. He was handed a year in jail for each count but the sentences will run concurrently.
The court heard Kibiego drove to Laikipia Air Base on September 9 last year, and claimed to be Captain John Kibiego Langat, but was intercepted by suspicious sentries at the gate.
Upon further interrogation, he produced an ID card bearing the name Cheruot Wesley Kibet but he eventually revealed his correct name. He said he was visiting an officer by the name Langat but police manning the gate could not confirm his identity.
The suspect later took the officers to a bar in Nanyuki town where he had left a bag containing a military uniform, CV and application letters of youths seeking to join the military.
While sentencing Kibiego on Thursday, principal magistrate Waititu Gichimu noted the possibility that the accused had been using his purported rank at KDF to solicit bribes from people wishing to be employed in the military.