The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed details of a complex multi-million shilling fraud scheme that targeted foreign investors and was carried out within Harambee House, leading to the arrest of seven suspects.
In a statement issued on March 20, 2026, the agency dismissed what it described as misleading media reports, clarifying that no serving government officials were involved in the scam.
According to investigators, the scheme began on January 10, 2026, when a foreign investor, Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun of Swedish firm Jokara AB, received a WhatsApp message from an individual identified as Stanley Ndawula. He was later connected to Geoffrey Were, who allegedly posed as a government consultant.
The suspects then enticed the investor with a fake government tender involving the supply of 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof ambulances.
To make the deal appear legitimate, the victim was invited to Kenya and granted unauthorized access to Harambee House, where he was introduced to individuals posing as officials from the National Treasury and Ministry of Health.
Inside a boardroom, the investor was presented with forged documents, including fake prequalification certificates allegedly signed by senior officials. He agreed to an initial investment package worth USD 110,000.
Investigations show that on January 30, the investor transferred the amount to a Kenyan law firm account. On February 11, he sent an additional USD 360,750 for supposed insurance costs, bringing the total loss to USD 470,750 (over KSh 60 million).
The fraudsters later demanded an extra USD 1.08 million, prompting the victims to return to Kenya—unaware that detectives were already monitoring the operation.
On March 10, DCI officers arrested the suspects inside Harambee House during another staged meeting. Those arrested include Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Kororia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde, and Purity Njeri Njiami.
DCI noted that Njiami, a former public servant, facilitated access to restricted areas but does not currently hold any government position.
The suspects were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on March 16, facing charges such as conspiracy to defraud, forgery, money laundering, and obtaining money by false pretenses.
They pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of KSh 5 million each or a cash bail of KSh 300,000 with two sureties. Their passports were confiscated, and the case will be mentioned on April 1, 2026.
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