The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has dismissed media reports suggesting that government officials were involved in the targeting of a foreign investor in a Ksh60 million fraud.
In a statement released on Friday, March 20, the agency described the reports, published in a local daily, as misleading and sensationalized.
DCI clarified that seven individuals linked to the fraud were arrested by detectives on March 10.
Government Officials Cleared in Ksh60 Million Foreign Investment Allegations. Photo: Courtesy.
The suspects reportedly posed as officials from key government ministries and illegally accessed a boardroom on the 12th floor of Harambee House.
The investigative agency emphasized that no government officials were involved in the scheme, refuting claims circulating in sections of the media.
The suspects allegedly lured two foreign nationals into a fictitious deal to supply 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof ambulances.
The individuals posed as officials from the Ministry of Interior, National Treasury, and Ministry of Health, targeting Mr. Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun, representing M/S Jokara AB (a Swedish company), and his brother Mr. Hatem Youssef Yousef Zaitoun through a fake government tender.
Investigations show the scheme began on January 10, 2026, when one of the victims received a WhatsApp message from an individual who connected him to a supposed consultant.
The victim later travelled to Kenya, where he was received at the airport and escorted into Harambee House through unauthorized channels.
Upon arrival, a female accomplice facilitated entry past security checkpoints.
The victim was then taken to a conference room on the 5th floor and introduced to individuals impersonating representatives of the Treasury and Ministry of Health.
The victim was presented with forged tender documents, including a fake pre-qualification certificate, and offered two investment packages.
He opted for the higher-tier deal, transferring $110,000 (Ksh14.17 million) on January 30, 2026, and later $360,750 (Ksh46.47 million) for insurance, totaling $470,750 (Ksh60.64 million) fraudulently obtained.
The suspects were reportedly seeking an additional $1.08 million (Ksh139.13 million) in installments when the victims returned to Kenya, where they were taken to a 12th-floor boardroom at Harambee House and met the seven individuals later arrested.
The suspects, Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Kororia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde, and Purity Njeri Njami—faced charges of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, money laundering, and forgery. Njeri, a former Ministry of Public Service employee, facilitated boardroom access but held no current government position.
They pleaded not guilty at Milimani Law Court on March 16 and were released on bonds of Ksh5 million each or cash bail of Ksh300,000 with two sureties.
DCI reiterated that no serving government official was involved in the scheme.
The clarification comes after a local daily claimed that four of the suspects in the ambulance scam were linked to a senior government official and a lawmaker, with two serving as aides to the lawmaker and two working in the official’s office.
