"FROM GOSPEL TO GAVEL: RINGTONE REMANDED OVER KSH50M KAREN LAND SCAM "

Popular gospel singer Alex Nyanchonga Apoko, alias Ringtone, has found himself on the wrong side of the law after being charged in a Ksh50 million land fraud case involving prime property in Karen.

Ringtone and his co-accused, Alfred Juma Ayora, were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, where they pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to defraud businesswoman Teresia Adhiambo Odhiambo.

The prosecution claims the duo attempted to illegally acquire a 0.1908-hectare plot by falsely asserting adverse possession. Ayora is accused of fabricating claims in an affidavit, stating he had lived on the land for over 20 years—a claim the prosecution says is outright false.

Ayora reportedly gave misleading testimony in a case before the Environment and Land Court, naming Odhiambo and the Chief Land Registrar as respondents.

The case took a twist after Ringtone missed multiple court appearances, claiming illness. However, the court dismissed his medical documents over authenticity concerns, prompting a warrant for his arrest on May 7.

Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego denied bail and ordered the two to remain in custody at the Industrial Area Remand Prison until May 19, when a pre-bail report will determine if they qualify for release.

This case is the latest in a string of land fraud scandals shaking Nairobi’s real estate sector, where unsuspecting investors continue to fall victim to well-orchestrated scams.

The DCI has recently urged victims of a separate fraud case involving a city-based real estate firm to come forward, following claims the owner swindled over Ksh6.4 million from a single investor.