Kenya's DCI Clears Government Officials in KSh60 Million Harambee House Fraud
Nairobi, 20 March 2026
Kenya’s criminal investigation unit has dismissed media claims linking government officials to a sophisticated KSh60 million fraud scheme at Harambee House. Seven external fraudsters posed as ministry officials to deceive Swedish investors in a fake ambulance tender deal, accessing high-security government boardrooms to execute their elaborate scam. The perpetrators successfully extracted USD 470,750 from victims by presenting forged tender documents and impersonating officials from Treasury and Health ministries.
DCI Refutes Media Claims on Government Involvement
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations issued a comprehensive statement on Friday, 20 March 2026, specifically targeting what it termed ‘misleading and sensationalised headlines’ appearing in sections of the media [1]. The DCI’s Director John Marete emphasised that the seven suspects arrested were ‘purely external fraudsters who exploited public institutions for criminal gain’ [2]. The statement directly refuted reports, particularly those published in The Standard newspaper, that suggested serving government officials were implicated in the fraud scheme [3]. The DCI clarified that no government official from the Ministry of Interior, National Treasury, or Ministry of Health was involved in the criminal activity [4].
Elaborate Fraud Scheme Unfolds Over Two Months
The sophisticated fraud operation began on 10 January 2026, when victim Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun received a WhatsApp message from Stanley Ndawula [1][4]. The fraudsters crafted an elaborate deception involving a fictitious government tender for 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof ambulances, targeting both Talal and his brother Hatem Yousef Yousef Zaitoun, who represented Swedish company Jokara AB [2][4]. On 26 January 2026, Talal travelled to Kenya and was received at the airport by Geoffrey Were and a driver, who then escorted him to Harambee House [2][4]. The fraudsters successfully bypassed security checkpoints and gained access to boardrooms on both the 5th and 12th floors of the government headquarters, where they presented forged tender documents including fake pre-qualification certificates [2][4].
Financial Losses Mount Through Phased Payments
The financial extraction occurred in carefully orchestrated stages, beginning on 30 January 2026, when Zaitoun transferred USD 110,000 to Conrad Law Advocates LLP at Ecobank Kenya for what was presented as an investment package [2][3][4]. The fraudsters offered two distinct packages: USD 90,000 for a single five-year business opportunity or USD 110,000 for multiple opportunities within the same period [2]. A subsequent transfer of USD 360,750 was demanded and paid on 11 February 2026, ostensibly for insurance purposes, bringing the total amount defrauded to USD 470,750, equivalent to KSh60,642,015 [3][4]. The scheme continued until 14 March 2026, when the suspects demanded an additional USD 470,000, which ultimately led to their exposure [2].
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Seven suspects were arrested on 10 March 2026, during a meeting in a boardroom on the 12th floor of Harambee House [2][3]. Those apprehended included Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Kororia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde, and Purity Njeri Njami [3][4]. The suspects were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on 16 March 2026, facing charges of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, acquisition of proceeds of crime, and forgery [3][4]. All seven pleaded not guilty and were released on bond of KSh5 million each or cash bail of KSh300,000, with their passports surrendered as a condition of release [3][4]. The case is scheduled for pre-trial directions on 1 April 2026 [3][4].