NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a man accused of posing as a senior officer from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to orchestrate a fraudulent Sh15 million tender scheme targeting an unsuspecting construction firm.
In a statement, the anti-graft agency said the suspect, Joel Wanyama Simiyu, allegedly used his false identity to lure the contractor into a non-existent project at Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County.
According to investigators, Simiyu claimed to be attached to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board (NG-CDF), a move that lent credibility to the elaborate scheme.
Elaborate deception
EACC says the suspect went to great lengths to sustain the fraud. He allegedly staged a fake project handover ceremony and presented forged contract documents to convince the contractor that the project was legitimate.
To deepen the illusion, Simiyu reportedly introduced an accomplice posing as an engineer, who pushed for unauthorised project variations—further misleading the firm into proceeding with construction works.
Believing the project was genuine, the contractor commenced work and paid approximately Sh1.4 million in so-called facilitation fees.
Fraud uncovered
The scheme began to unravel when the contractor sought payment from the Hamisi NG-CDF office, only to discover that no such project had been approved.
Investigators say the suspect later resurfaced, demanding an additional Sh20,000 bribe, claiming he would “facilitate” the release of payment.
It was at this point that EACC officers moved in.
Simiyu was arrested while allegedly receiving the bribe and later booked at Kisumu Central Police Station. He has since been released on a Sh20,000 cash bail as investigations continue.
EACC says efforts are underway to identify and apprehend accomplices involved in the scheme.
The commission has urged contractors, suppliers, and the public to remain vigilant, warning that fraudsters are increasingly exploiting government institutions to defraud businesses.
“Stakeholders must verify all procurement processes through official government channels before committing resources,” the agency said.
The case adds to a growing list of procurement-related fraud incidents, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in public contracting systems and the risks faced by private firms engaging with unverifiable projects.
