Beggars posing as PWDs busted in Malindi
There are increased reports of street beggars in Malindi posing as people with disability as many have been busted attempting to solicit money from unsuspecting residents.
The high number of fakers has sparked concern among locals, as representatives of people living with disabilities blamed security agencies over what they term as negligence.
Recently, there have been cases of Tanzanian nationals pretending to be PWDs and being aided by unnamed agents who pay them a monthly fee to seek money from people along the streets of Malindi town.
Speaking to journalists outside the Malindi police station after two ‘beggars’ were busted, Thima Abu who serves as a representative of persons living with disability in Malindi and a village elder in the Shella area, said that she had received information a long time ago and she didn’t have the evidence concerning the matter and it is until lately when she pursued a child aged 11 years who gave out the information.
“Yesterday I encountered an 11-year-old boy who was in a wheelchair, I gave him a thousand shillings after which he was overjoyed and stood up. I then confronted the young boy telling him I am a police officer,” she said.
Out of fear, the boy named his accomplices who operate in false pretenses within the town.
Thima also encountered another beggar in a wheelchair who made shocking revelations in an interrogation by police.
She revealed that she comes from Tanzania where she was ferried from and that she had an agent who coordinates the whole operation.
The culprit also mentioned that they are paid KES 5000 monthly fee for the services they render.
Jessica Daniel Daudi, one of the beggars from Tanzania without travel documents confessed that she had a boss who provided shelter for her and her brother, in return, they would go to the street to beg and give the money to the boss who paid them on a monthly basis of KES 5,000.
Former nominated MCA representing people living with disability at the Kilifi County Assembly Victrine Nyamolo pleaded with the government to take measures to curb those who masquerade as disabled people, taking advantage of people’s empathy.