Seven suspects have been charged in connection with a multi-million shilling fraud scheme in which foreign investors were lured into a fake government tender at Harambee House in Nairobi.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said the suspects were arrested on March 10, 2026, after they allegedly posed as senior government officials and duped two foreign nationals into paying large sums of money for a non-existent contract.
According to investigators, the suspects fraudulently accessed a boardroom on the 12th floor of Harambee House, where they conducted meetings while masquerading as officials from key government ministries, including Interior, Treasury and Health.
The victims — identified as Swedish businessman Talal Yousef Youssef Zaitoun and his brother — were reportedly lured into a fictitious tender to supply 500 Toyota Hiace ambulances.
Detectives say the elaborate scheme began in January 2026, when the complainant received an unsolicited message via WhatsApp from an individual who later linked him to one of the suspects posing as a government consultant.
The victim subsequently travelled to Kenya, where he was received at the airport and escorted to Harambee House.
Investigators say a female accomplice facilitated illegal access past security checkpoints, allowing the suspects to stage meetings in official premises.
During the meetings, the suspects allegedly presented forged documents, including fake pre-qualification certificates purportedly signed by senior government officials, to convince the victims of the deal’s legitimacy.
The fraudsters reportedly offered two investment packages and successfully convinced the victim to transfer USD 110,000 (approximately Sh14 million) to a local account.
A further USD 360,750 was later sent under the pretext of insurance, bringing the total amount lost to USD 470,750 (about Sh60 million).
At the time of their arrest, the suspects were allegedly pressuring the victims to pay an additional USD 1.08 million in instalments.
The suspects — Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Kororia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde and Purity Njeri Njami — were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on March 16.
They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and handling proceeds of crime. All pleaded not guilty.
The court released them on a bond of Sh5 million each or an alternative cash bail of Sh300,000 with two sureties.
Their passports were surrendered, and the case is scheduled for mention on April 1 for pre-trial directions.
The DCI clarified that none of the suspects are current government employees, noting that they were “purely external fraudsters who exploited public institutions for criminal gain.”
One of the accused was identified as a former public servant who had no current role in government but allegedly facilitated access to the premises.
In its statement, the agency cautioned both local and international investors against falling victim to similar scams.
“No genuine government tender requires upfront facilitation fees, insurance, or payments to private accounts,” the DCI said, warning that such demands are “almost certainly fraudulent.”
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to recover the stolen funds and dismantle wider criminal networks linked to the scheme.
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