“Inside Harambee House Scam: Fake Ambulance Deal Exposes Multi-Million Fraud Web”
By News Desk
Harambee House Fraud Saga: Seven Charged as One Suspect Fails to Appear in Court
Seven suspects linked to a sophisticated multi-million shilling fraud scheme involving a fake government tender have been arraigned before a Nairobi court and charged with multiple criminal offences.
The accused — Michafi Musyoki Ngumbi, Evans Simotwo, Geofrey Were Odondi, Allan Mutahi Kariuki, Purity Nieri Niamu, Muniaro Jared Masinde, and Kororia Simatwa — appeared before Chief Magistrate Teresa Nyangena at the Milimani Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty to all charges.
However, a key co-accused, Rose Mbuthia, failed to appear in court, prompting the magistrate to issue summons compelling her attendance at the next court session.
According to the prosecution, the eight individuals allegedly conspired to defraud a foreign national, Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun, of USD 470,750 (approximately KSh 60 million). The court heard that between January 10 and February 25, 2026, the suspects falsely claimed they had the capacity to secure a lucrative government tender for the supply and delivery of 500 high-roof diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances.
Investigators revealed that the group allegedly misrepresented themselves as individuals with influence within the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, using forged documents and false assurances to convince the complainant of the deal’s authenticity.
In a separate charge, Geofrey Were Odondi is accused of obtaining money by false pretences, with prosecutors stating that he received the funds through Lianyungang Chanta International Wood Company Limited under the pretext of facilitating the fictitious contract.
Odondi also faces an additional charge of acquisition of proceeds of crime after allegedly receiving USD 450,750 through an Equity Bank account registered under Damira Multiactivities, with knowledge or reason to believe the funds were proceeds of criminal activity.
Meanwhile, Michafi Musyoki Ngumbi faces two counts of forgery. He is accused of falsifying a contract agreement purportedly between the Ministry of Interior and a foreign company, Jokara AB, as well as forging a notification of award letter to lend credibility to the non-existent deal.
The court granted each of the seven accused persons cash bail of KSh 300,000. The matter will be mentioned on a later date as investigations continue and efforts to secure the attendance of the absent suspect intensify.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on fraud syndicates exploiting government institutions to dupe unsuspecting investors.
