The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested an impersonator posing as a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer for orchestrating a KSh15 million fraudulent tender scheme.

Investigations reveal that Joel Wanyama Simiyu falsely presented himself as a senior NIS officer attached to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board and used this guise to deceive a construction firm into undertaking a non-existent project at Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County.

To legitimise the scheme, the suspect allegedly staged a fake project handover, complete with forged contract documents, and introduced an accomplice posing as an engineer to influence unauthorised project variations.

The contractor was misled into proceeding with construction and paid approximately KSh1.4 million in purported facilitation fees.

The fraud was uncovered when the firm sought payment from Hamisi NG-CDF, only to establish that no such project had been approved.

The suspect later resurfaced and demanded an additional KSh20,000 bribe, claiming he would facilitate payment processing.

EACC officers apprehended the suspect while receiving the bribe. He was booked at Kisumu Central Police Station and released on KSh20,000 cash bail pending further investigations.

Efforts are ongoing to identify and take action against any accomplices involved.

EACC urges all stakeholders to remain vigilant and verify procurement processes through official government channels.