The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has arrested seven suspects who posed as government officials to defraud two Swedish nationals of USD 470,750 (approximately Ksh61 million) in a tender scheme orchestrated inside Harambee House, the seat of Kenya’s Interior Ministry.
The fraud began on January 10, 2026, when one of the victims, Talal Yousef Zaitoun, representing Swedish company M/S Jokara AB, received an unsolicited WhatsApp message from a man identifying himself as Stanley Ndawula.
He later connected him to Geoffrey Were, a self-styled consultant claiming to work with government entities.
The victim was flown to Kenya, received at the airport and escorted to Harambee House, where a female accomplice facilitated illegal entry past security checkpoints.
Inside, the victims were introduced to individuals posing as representatives of the National Treasury and the Ministry of Health, and were presented with forged tender documents.
The tender documents included a fake pre-qualification certificate purportedly signed by senior government officials, all in connection with a fictitious supply of 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof Ambulances.
The fraudsters offered two packages, USD 90,000 for a single five-year business opportunity or USD 110,000 for multiple opportunities.
The victims opted for the higher package and transferred USD 110,000 on January 30, 2026.
A further USD 360,750 was transferred on February 11 under the guise of insurance, bringing the total amount stolen to USD 470,750.
The syndicate was pressing for an additional USD 1,080,000 in installments when the victims returned to Kenya for further negotiations and the suspects were arrested.
The seven suspects, Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Kororia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde and Purity Njeri Njiami, were arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts on March 16, 2026, on charges of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, acquisition of proceeds of crime and forgery.
They pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of Ksh5 million each or cash bail of Ksh300,000 with two sureties, with all passports surrendered to court.
The matter is set for mention on April 1, 2026.
The DCI clarified that no serving government official was involved in the scheme, describing the arrested individuals as external fraudsters who exploited public institutions for criminal gain. The public and international investors were reminded that all legitimate government tenders are advertised through official channels and that no genuine tender requires upfront fees, insurance deposits or payments to private accounts.
