NAIROBI, Kenya — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has defended its arrest of seven suspects linked to a multi-million shilling fake government tender scam at Harambee House, dismissing media reports suggesting official involvement as “misleading and sensationalised.”
In a press statement issued Friday, the agency said the suspects were apprehended on March 10, 2026, after illegally accessing a boardroom within Harambee House and posing as senior government officials to defraud foreign investors.
According to the DCI, the suspects impersonated officers from the Ministry of Interior, National Treasury, and Ministry of Health, luring two foreign nationals into a fictitious tender to supply 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof ambulances.
The victims — Talal Yousef, Yousef Zaitoun, and his brother Hatem Youssef Yousef Zaitoun — were allegedly duped into transferring a total of USD 470,750 (approximately Sh60 million) to accounts linked to the fraudsters.
Investigators said the scheme began in January 2026 when the primary complainant received a WhatsApp message from an individual identified as Stanley Ndawula, who later introduced him to Geoffrey Were Odondi, posing as a consultant connected to government agencies.
The victim travelled to Kenya later that month and was reportedly granted access into Harambee House through irregular means, where he met individuals masquerading as officials and was presented with forged tender documents, including fake pre-qualification certificates.
The suspects allegedly offered business “packages” requiring upfront payments, prompting the victim to transfer USD 110,000 initially, followed by an additional USD 360,750 under the guise of insurance fees.
Authorities said the suspects later attempted to extort a further USD 1.08 million, prompting the victims to return to Kenya, where the arrests were effected during a staged meeting on the 12th floor of Harambee House.
Those arrested include Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Korovia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde, and Purity Njeri Njiani, a former public service employee accused of facilitating unauthorized access to the premises.
The DCI clarified that none of the suspects are serving government officials, distancing state agencies from the fraud scheme.
“All seven suspects are external actors who exploited government institutions for criminal gain,” the statement said.
The suspects were arraigned on March 16 before the Milimani Law Courts and charged with conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, money laundering, and forgery under the Penal Code and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.
They pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of Sh5 million each or a cash bail of Sh300,000 with two sureties. The court also ordered the surrender of their passports.
The case will be mentioned on April 1 for pre-trial directions.
The DCI urged members of the public and international investors to verify all government tenders through official channels, warning that legitimate procurement processes do not require upfront payments or transactions through private accounts.
The agency said it will continue working with other state bodies to dismantle fraud networks and recover stolen funds, amid growing concern over schemes targeting foreign investors and misusing public institutions.
