An American philanthropist, Avis Goodheart, has narrated how she was conned Kshs 20 million by a female Kenyan pastor.
Goodheart had dedicated her time and life savings to impact and uplift the lives of the vulnerable in Kenya.
According to Goodheart, she met the pastor identified as Esther Wambui who convinced her that her intentions were good and suggested that they partner.
The donor said that she struck the deal with the pastor in 2018.
Wambui however used the opportunity to swindle money from her.
Goodheart said that things ran perfectly at the beginning and she was not suspicious of any foul play by the pastor.
She even felt the impact of her acts of devotion on changing lives through running an orphanage.
Things started going wrong when the Covid pandemic struck which forced nations to impose measures to contain the spread of the virus thus exposing the pastor’s ill game.
Goodheart came to learn that the orphanage was only supporting 18 children and not 148 as she had been told by the pastor.
“I sent her lots of money and one of my sponsors to buy a piece of property because she wanted more gardens. She told me during the Covid-19 pandemic that the neighbors were starving and I sent her USD300 a week till the end of January this year,” Goodheart said.
She was shocked that the huge orphanage ‘they’ were running did not exist.
Goodheart is now seeking the intervention of the authorities so that she can be able to recover the money she invested in the orphanage.
Wambui however defended herself against the allegations saying that she did everything that she was required to do and that she has proof of how all the money was spent.
She claimed that there was a plot to take over the orphanage that she worked so hard to build .
She further said that she had approached the donor a number of times so that they could settle their differences but she rejected.
Wambui also filed an assault report against the donor at Isebania police station but later withdrew her complaint.
She now hopes that the court will settle the matter that has put the lives of the children in jeopardy.
RELATED STORY: Shock As Smartly Dressed Man Is Found Murdered With Wire Around His Neck
