Thursday, February 13, 2025
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Kenyan Woman in Trouble with US Govt for Fraud

Serah Kamau, a 52-year-old Kenyan woman, has been charged with first-degree theft for allegedly defrauding the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). 

According to the charge sheets, in June 2021, Serah filed a claim for a shoulder injury which she sustained while working as a licensed practical nurse at Eastern State Hospital.

Further, her physician certified that the injury was severe enough to prevent her from working, qualifying her for wage-replacement benefits from L&I amounting to over Ksh7.8 million (60,000). 

However, when she was asked to go back to work to perform light duty, she refused saying that she could not drive a manual vehicle.

Anti-tax Protestor Who Stole 181Kgs Meat Gets Ksh10M Bond
A judge gavel. PHOTO/Courtesy

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Officials Uncover Blunder that Revealed Fraud by Kenyan

The officials noted that the report given by Serah was a red flag prompting further investigations into the matter. 

Further investigations into her case revealed that she had been actively managing and operating Brookhouse Adult Family Home for 15 months.

Also, the charge sheet indicated Sarah was running the activities of the home, including providing 24-hour care for clients with dementia and mental disabilities, alone with no additional staff. Yet she claimed to be too injured to work for her employer.

Additionally, records from the state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) showed that Kamau had entered into contracts to provide these services and had billed for in-home care during the same period she was receiving wage-replacement benefits.


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Way Forward for Serah Kamau 

Consequently, Serah has already repaid Ksh9 million ($68,878) for the wrongly obtained benefits and has faced a penalty of Ksh4.5 million ($34,439) under an earlier administrative order, bringing the total repayment to over Ksh13. 1 million ($100,000).

Her trial is slated to commence on September 23, 2024.

“Individuals receiving benefits have a legal obligation to disclose any work they are performing,” Monahan stated. “Fraudulent claims not only undermine the system but also divert resources away from those who genuinely need assistance,” the Washington State Office of the Attorney General Celeste Monahan said. 

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Person in cuffs. PHOTO/Courtesy

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Joy Kwama

Mercy Joy Kwama is a News Reporter at The Kenya Times who is dedicated to the art of storytelling and truth-telling and changing narratives. She has covered diverse topics including politics, social justice, environmental issues, climate change, and entertainment. Mercy is particularly driven to amplify the voices of African communities and challenge the prevailing status quo. She is a graduate of Riara University with a degree in Communications and Multimedia Journalism and is well-equipped to navigate the complex landscape of news reporting. In her spare time, Mercy likes to pick up new skills including crocheting, gardening, dance, reading, and music. She can be reached at joy.kwama@thekenyatimes.com

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