In Malindi, Kilifi County, authorities have apprehended a 36-year-old man who pretended to be a doctor and tricked locals into giving him money.
Wycliffe Okechi Mecha was caught by detectives from the DCI at Malindi sub-county hospital, where he posed as a medical professional, attending to patients and asking for cash from them and their families.
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Dr. David Mang’ong’o, the Hospital’s Medical Superintendent, explained that Mecha, dressed in a lab coat, raised suspicion among staff when he began treating patients without proper credentials.
Hospital staff alerted the authorities, leading to his arrest.
Mang’ong’o stated, “When we questioned him, he couldn’t prove he was a licensed medical doctor, so we called the DCI who took him into custody.”
Following this incident, the hospital administration has urged all staff, patients, and their families to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. New staff will be issued identification cards for easy recognition.
The Hospital Administrator, Said Omar Ali, emphasized the use of electronic payments for services provided at the hospital, urging patients to use the provided Paybill number.
Rev. John Leiyo of the New Covenant Ministries revealed that Mecha, who recently joined their church, deceived three of his relatives with fake job promises.
Leiyo recounted, “He claimed to be a doctor at the Malindi sub-county hospital and a Gospel singer. We even allowed him to join our worship team.”
The arrest of Mecha serves as a reminder for people to be cautious and verify credentials before seeking medical assistance.
