Four Kenyans living in Houston, Texas, have been sentenced by a United States federal court after being convicted of running an extensive marriage-fraud operation aimed at securing immigration benefits, including permanent residency and U.S. citizenship.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Herman Ogoti, Alfonso Ongaga, Andrew Mokoro, and Rebmann Ongaga were found guilty following a trial on charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and visa fraud. Ogoti and Alfonso Ongaga were additionally convicted of unlawfully obtaining U.S. citizenship.
A federal judge sentenced Alfonso Ongaga and Andrew Mokoro to 16 months in prison, while Ogoti and Rebmann Ongaga received six-month prison terms. The court also revoked the U.S. citizenship of Ogoti and Alfonso Ongaga, ruling that the naturalization they previously obtained had been acquired fraudulently.
A fifth defendant, Andrew Mitema, pleaded guilty before trial to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and tampering with a witness. He was scheduled to be sentenced shortly after the four primary defendants.
How the scheme involving Kenyans operated
Court evidence showed the defendants recruited and paid American citizens to enter into sham marriages to help them obtain lawful permanent residency and, in some cases, citizenship.
Also Read: Ex-British Soldier Accused of Murdering Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki Speaks
Each of the four Kenyan nationals originally sought to enter the United States on student visas. While three of the applications were approved, Rebmann Ongaga’s visa was denied. Prosecutors said Rebmann then collaborated with his co-conspirators to fly a recruited American woman to Kenya for a staged wedding ceremony.
The woman remained in Kenya for two days before returning to the U.S., and several months later, Rebmann entered the country using a spouse visa obtained through the fraudulent marriage. Once in the United States, the other defendants also married American women recruited for the scheme.
According to the DOJ, most of the women were related to each other, and each participant was promised $5,000 for taking part in the fake marriages.
Investigators uncover the fraud
The conspiracy began to unravel on November 10, 2009, when two American women involved in the sham marriages were detained at the Houston Passport Office.
Also Read: US Court Gives Way Forward on Murder Suspect Kelvin Kang’ethe After Extradition
The women initially told officials they were traveling to Africa “to see the animals,” yet could not specify where. When questioned further, they admitted they had been recruited to marry members of the defendants’ families in Kenya.
Surveillance footage later presented in court showed the two women entering the passport office with a man identified as Andrew Mokoro.
“The case was investigated by the Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations and Department of Homeland Security – Fraud Detection and National Security. Assistant United States Attorneys Kebharu H. Smith and Suzanne Elmilady and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Ashlee McFarlane prosecuted the case.”
Citizenship revoked
In addition to prison terms, the court formally stripped Ogoti and Alfonso Ongaga of their U.S. citizenship, stating that it had been obtained “fraudulently.” All four men are expected to face further immigration proceedings after completing their sentences.
The DOJ emphasized that the case demonstrates the coordinated efforts of federal agencies to investigate and prosecute immigration fraud, which U.S. authorities continue to treat as a serious national security and law-enforcement priority.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
