An American citizen has written to Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) seeking approval to charge a Taaj Money Transfer agent who allegedly defrauded her of Ksh 39 million. Rahma Abdullahi Adam, a New York resident, wants the DPP to take legal action against Abdullahi Abdi Hussein, the manager of Taaj’s Eastleigh branch and an alleged shareholder, for conning her out of her hard-earned money through fraudulent investment schemes.
On January 6, 2025, Hussein was presented before the Kibra Law Courts under a miscellaneous application but was released on a cash bail of Ksh 100,000, pending further investigations. Detectives from Kilimani Police Station had sought more time to detain him, but the court denied their request, allowing his release on bail.
Through her lawyer, Danstan Omari, Adam explained in her letter to the DPP that she initially conducted successful transactions with Hussein in 2023. However, she later authorized her father to meet Hussein and collect USD 213,000 on her behalf. Instead of handing over the funds, Hussein allegedly proposed a new investment deal, offering Adam a 50% stake in the Taaj Eastleigh branch using her “Daimon” stake deposit. She declined the offer and insisted that her father proceed with collecting the money.
Hussein had initially agreed to refund the funds before travelling to India for his mother’s medical treatment. However, upon meeting Adam’s father, he claimed he had no money, alleging that the funds had been lost in Taaj’s system. Further inquiries revealed that the money had reportedly been used to settle debts owed to other Taaj customers.
Hussein later promised to work hard to refund Adam’s money. However, when Adam travelled to Kenya on December 31, 2024, to follow up, she found that the Taaj Eastleigh branch had been shut down and that Hussein had allegedly been fired.
Failed Mediation and Plea for Justice
Adam reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at Kilimani Police Station on January 2, 2025, leading to Hussein’s arrest on the same day. She claims that efforts to resolve the matter out of court through community elders have been futile, as the suspect’s surety has allegedly dismissed her pursuit of justice as futile. She also stated that her attempts to reach the Taaj Chief Executive Officer for resolution have been ignored, with the CEO denying any wrongdoing or responsibility.
Adam expressed frustration over the financial and emotional toll of the case, noting that she has had to extend her stay in Nairobi, missing work and time with her children in New York. “In light of the foregoing, and given that our client strongly believes in the rule of law in this country and hopes to get justice and recover her hard-earned money, we request that you consider her plight and ensure the suspect is charged accordingly. We kindly but urgently seek your intervention in this matter,” Omari urged in his letter to the DPP.
Adam now awaits the DPP’s decision on whether Hussein will face formal charges.
