NAIROBI, Kenya- The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested nine people over Sh1.57 billion fraud involving the Rural Outreach of Financial Innovations and Technologies (PROFIT) Programme funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by the National Treasury.
The suspects include senior National Treasury officials, a PROFIT Programme coordinator, and business owners accused of facilitating the alleged fraudulent disbursement of public funds.
According to the EACC, investigations established that Sh1,569,582,338.20 was fraudulently disbursed from the National Treasury Development Account to the PROFIT Programme and subsequently channelled to 23 private entities, 15 business names and eight companies for goods and services that investigators say were never supplied.
“The suspects face charges including unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime and uttering false documents, among other offences,” EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud said in a statement.
The programme was intended to help small-scale farmers access affordable financing and was implemented between the 2013/14 and 2023/24 financial years.
Names of the nine arrested
The EACC identified the nine suspects arrested on Tuesday as:
- John Ngure Kabutha — Programme Coordinator, PROFIT Programme
- Namwel Moturi Motanya — Head of Accounting Unit, National Treasury
- John Maina Murithi — Senior Accountant, National Treasury
- Gladys Juliet Oroni, alias Gladys Juliet — Proprietor of Mawindo Enterprises, Brigs Agencies and Green Basil Agencies
- Brian Kiprop Chepkarat — Proprietor of El Konyinta Technologies
- Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat — Director of 020 Investments Limited and Vidi Vici Ltd
- Josephat Kamau Kamoshe — Director of Blue Dart Agencies Limited
- James Omwodo Ndai — Proprietor of Ednas Agencies, Prozepp Technologies and Steeren Enterprises
- Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo — Proprietor of Cadnic Investments
The suspects are expected to be arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
EACC alleges Sh175 million was laundered
The anti-graft agency said its investigations also uncovered an unauthorised KCB Bank account opened in the name of the PROFIT Programme.
According to the EACC, Sh175 million was received through the account and allegedly laundered and embezzled, with a substantial portion of the money withdrawn in cash.
Investigators further established financial links between programme officials and some of the private entities that received the funds, the commission said.
The EACC said that programme officials used false and forged documents to account for the funds.
“The investigations further established that programme officials used false and forged documents to account for the funds and opened an unauthorized KCB Bank account in the name of the PROFIT Programme, through which Sh175 million was received, laundered and embezzled, with a substantial portion withdrawn in cash,” the EACC CEO said.
20 suspects to face prosecution
The arrests follow the conclusion of investigations by the EACC and the forwarding of the inquiry file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The DPP approved the prosecution of 20 public officials, companies and company directors.
The suspects face charges including unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime and uttering false documents, among other offences.
EACC names 11 suspects wanted for processing
The commission has also directed 11 other suspects to immediately present themselves at the EACC Integrity Centre in Nairobi or the nearest EACC office for processing.
They are:
- Billy Otien Obango, alias Billy Obango — Programme Accountant, PROFIT Programme
- Auma Ritah Otieno — Proprietor of Ritasshell Enterprises
- Paul Mukasiali Shilaho — Proprietor of Kemula Agencies and Shilal Supplies
- Susan Wangari Gathiaka — Proprietor of Maxtor Supplies and Graybar Distributors
- Erick Otieno Achila — Proprietor of Dangzerina Enterprises
- Miriam Roseline Obinda — Director of Laudrups Kenya Ltd
- Fredrick Nyadhe Obindah — Director of Laudrups Kenya Ltd
- Brown Mujenyi Agade — Director of Laudrups Kenya Ltd
- Hilda Ndinda Ngava — Director of Kikwetu Holdings Limited
- Charles Cheruiyot — Director of Kaplan Logistics Limited
- Jackline Kagai Saisi — Director of Jarods Agency Limited
EACC seeks recovery of funds
Apart from the criminal proceedings, the commission said it would pursue the recovery and forfeiture of public funds and assets established to have been acquired through corrupt conduct or other unlawful means.
The EACC said the arrests form part of its efforts to protect public resources and ensure that individuals responsible for the alleged loss or misappropriation of public funds are held accountable.
All the allegations remain subject to determination by the courts. The accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
