A complex web of international financing, opaque legal instruments, and years of litigation has exposed what could rank among Kenya’s most costly public infrastructure scandals, with potential losses linked to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) now exceeding Ksh78 billion.

At the centre of the storm is a $300 million credit facility issued by Ecobank Nigeria to Zakhem International, backed by a sweeping debenture and reinforced through controversial domiciliation letters that effectively redirected proceeds from a major Kenyan government contract.

A Deal Rooted in Nigeria

The origins of the dispute trace back to 2006, when Zakhem Construction Nigeria Limited executed a far-reaching debenture in Lagos in favour of Ecobank Nigeria. The agreement pledged all of Zakhem’s present and future assets globally—including receivables—as security for financial facilities.

For years, the instrument remained dormant.

That changed in July 2014, when Kenya Pipeline Company awarded Zakhem a contract worth approximately $484.5 million (about Ksh62.9 billion) to construct the 450-kilometre Mombasa–Nairobi Line 5 pipeline, a flagship Vision 2030 project.

Within months, Zakhem secured a $300 million facility from Ecobank Nigeria, using the KPC contract proceeds as collateral.

The Domiciliation Letters That Changed Everything

In October 2014, Zakhem issued “irrevocable” domiciliation instructions directing KPC to channel 70 percent of all contract payments to Ecobank Nigeria accounts and the remaining 30 percent to Ecobank Kenya.

KPC acknowledged and stamped the letters.

That move effectively inserted Ecobank into the transaction as a primary beneficiary—despite the bank not being part of the officially mandated financing consortium for the project.

The consortium, as previously reported, included institutions such as CFC Stanbic, Citibank, Co-operative Bank, and Standard Chartered—but not Ecobank.

Legal experts now argue that by accepting the domiciliation terms, KPC may have exposed itself to a binding financial obligation to a foreign bank without parliamentary approval or Treasury oversight.

From Infrastructure Project to Financial Dispute

Ecobank is documented as having financed the project up to $206 million. However, it only recovered about $26.8 million, leaving a disputed balance of over $52 million.

In 2018, Ecobank Nigeria and its Kenyan subsidiary sued Zakhem and KPC in the High Court, effectively dragging the state corporation into a foreign debt recovery dispute.

KPC, which had not borrowed directly from Ecobank, found itself defending a claim arising purely from the domiciliation letters it had endorsed.

The corporation reportedly spent at least Ksh90 million in legal fees in a single year defending the suit.

The Costly DCI Intervention

In July 2019, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations ordered KPC to suspend payments to Zakhem pending investigations.

At the time, both parties had reportedly agreed on a settlement figure of $44 million for contract variations and delays.

The directive derailed the agreement.

A court later awarded Zakhem the same amount, but with accrued interest and penalties due to delayed payment. According to audit reports, the delay cost Kenyan taxpayers over Ksh3 billion in avoidable penalties.

No criminal charges were ultimately filed in connection with the halted payments.

Settlements, Then More Claims

In September 2023, KPC and Zakhem recorded a consent judgment of $69.6 million (approximately Ksh9 billion), which was presented as a “full and final” settlement.

However, within months, Zakhem returned to court seeking additional payments.

In 2025, a garnishee order led to Ksh485 million being withdrawn directly from KPC accounts at Equity Bank and paid into a law firm’s client account.

The cycle of litigation—featuring multiple applications, injunctions, and appeals—has continued, raising concerns about abuse of court processes.

Tax, Payments, and Double Exposure

Complicating matters further, the Kenya Revenue Authority demanded tax payments linked to the Zakhem settlement.

KPC remitted over Ksh4 billion to KRA.

However, later court rulings indicated that these payments did not absolve KPC of its obligations to Zakhem, effectively leaving the corporation exposed on both fronts.

Subcontractors Left Unpaid

While billions moved through international accounts and legal channels, local subcontractors were left stranded.

Azicon Kenya Limited is among firms owed over Ksh460 million despite completing contracted works. Efforts to recover the funds through court orders have so far failed.

Other firms have reported similar challenges, with some alleging deliberate asset shielding by Zakhem-linked entities.

A Familiar Pattern at KPC

The scandal adds to a long history of financial controversies at KPC, including:

• The 2009 Triton oil scandal (Ksh7.6 billion loss)
• The inflated hydrant pit valves procurement case
• The Kisumu Oil Jetty project controversy

The recurrence of large-scale financial disputes has raised questions about governance and oversight within the corporation.

Key Figures Under Scrutiny

Former KPC Managing Director Joe Sang, who served during critical phases of the contract and subsequent disputes, has recently resigned following a separate fuel procurement scandal.

Authorities have also turned attention to senior government and regulatory officials, with calls for a comprehensive forensic investigation into the entire Zakhem-Ecobank arrangement.

Calls for Accountability

Legal and financial experts are now urging:

• A full forensic audit of the debenture and domiciliation structure
• Investigations into potential fraud and money laundering
• Parliamentary inquiry into KPC’s financial exposure
• Professional review of legal practitioners involved in the settlements

The Director of Public Prosecutions and investigative agencies are under pressure to act.

The Bottom Line

What began as a strategic infrastructure project has evolved into a decade-long financial and legal quagmire.

With documented exposure exceeding Ksh78 billion, and additional claims still pending, the Zakhem-Ecobank saga underscores deep systemic vulnerabilities in public contracting, financial oversight, and legal enforcement.

For Kenyan taxpayers, the cost continues to mount.

The post How $300M Ecobank Nigeria Deal and Zakhem International Pipeline Contract Drained Kenya Pipeline Company: The Ksh78B Scandal Exposed appeared first on Daily Trends.

A cloud of uncertainty has engulfed the construction of the Talanta Sports City Stadium after a Chinese national was found dead at the high-profile project site in Jamhuri, Nairobi.

Police confirmed the man was discovered unresponsive inside a toilet block within the stadium grounds, which are currently under construction ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 (AFCON 2027).

The alarm was raised by security personnel manning the site after a chef working with the Chinese management team reportedly stumbled upon the body on Tuesday morning.

Fellow workers and guards responded before the man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations Launched

Authorities have since launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the death. According to Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud, detectives are pursuing two primary lines of inquiry: sudden death or possible foul play.

Preliminary observations at the scene indicated the deceased had a minor injury on the right side of his head, though it remains unclear whether this was linked to the cause of death.

The body has been moved to Lee Funeral Home for a post-mortem examination that is expected to provide further clarity.

Troubling Pattern Emerges

The incident has reignited concerns about safety at the stadium site, coming months after another worker was found dead under suspicious circumstances.

In that earlier case, 35-year-old Sammy Kyengo had been reported missing by his wife after failing to return home. His body was later discovered submerged in a concealed water sump beneath the stadium terraces.

Investigators at the time noted that the area where the body was found had been partially boarded up, raising suspicions that it may have been deliberately concealed. The body bore visible injuries to the head and neck, with additional signs of trauma.

A post-mortem later confirmed that Kyengo had sustained injuries before his death.

Family Raises Concerns

Speaking after the discovery of her husband’s body, Christine Kyengo said he had expressed distress over delayed wages at the construction site.

“He told me that the company had refused to pay them since July. He wanted to claim his money and leave the job,” she said.

The revelations triggered a temporary suspension of construction activities at the site, as police sealed off sections of the stadium to allow forensic investigations.

High-Stakes Project Under Scrutiny

The Talanta Sports City Stadium, a planned 60,000-seat facility, is one of Kenya’s flagship infrastructure projects and is expected to play a central role during AFCON 2027, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The venue is being considered to host key matches, including the opening and closing ceremonies, making it a focal point of the country’s preparations for the continental tournament.

However, the latest death is likely to intensify scrutiny over safety, labour conditions, and oversight at the site, particularly given the recurrence of fatal incidents.

Awaiting Answers

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to determine whether the latest death was a medical incident or the result of foul play.

For now, the incident has left workers uneasy and raised fresh questions about conditions at one of Kenya’s most important ongoing construction projects.

With the clock ticking toward AFCON 2027, pressure is mounting on those overseeing the project to ensure both safety and transparency—before the spotlight of the continent turns to Nairobi.

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Barely weeks after his appointment was formalised, Luka Kipchumba Kimeli is facing mounting scrutiny following fresh allegations of procurement irregularities at the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

Kimeli, whose elevation to Director-General was confirmed on February 17, 2026, by the KeNHA Board chaired by Winfrida Ngumi, had just concluded a turbulent seven-month stint in an acting capacity.

His confirmation was described by the Board as the result of a “competitive and transparent” recruitment process conducted in line with the Kenya Roads Act 2007.

However, the optimism surrounding his appointment has quickly been overshadowed by a wave of allegations circulating in public and policy circles, suggesting possible irregularities in the award of a multi-million-shilling contract to a foreign firm.

Allegations Emerge

The claims, which have yet to be formally tested by oversight bodies, allege that procurement processes within KeNHA may have been manipulated to favour a predetermined outcome. Questions have been raised about competitive bidding, due process, and whether internal procedures were tailored to benefit specific entities.

As of now, neither KeNHA nor the Ministry of Roads and Transport has issued an official response to the allegations. Key oversight institutions, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, have also remained publicly silent.

The lack of response has intensified concerns among governance experts, who warn that silence in the face of such claims risks deepening public mistrust in one of the country’s most critical infrastructure agencies.

A Troubled Institutional History

The controversy comes against the backdrop of KeNHA’s long-standing struggles with procurement integrity and project management. For years, the agency has been flagged by the Office of the Auditor-General over irregular tendering processes, missing documentation, and unexplained cost overruns.

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has repeatedly highlighted weaknesses in KeNHA’s procurement systems, including unsupported expenditures, undocumented contracts, and billions of shillings in pending bills owed to contractors.

One of the most notable cases involved the Mombasa-Mariakani highway project, where audits revealed unexplained cost variations running into billions and missing financial records.

Court Ruling Adds Pressure

Kimeli’s leadership is also under scrutiny following a recent High Court ruling that found him guilty of contempt of court over KeNHA’s failure to settle a Sh536 million debt owed to SBI International Holdings Kenya Limited.

The court dismissed arguments that the delay was due to budgetary constraints, ruling instead that the agency had wilfully disobeyed a binding order. The case is part of a broader, long-running dispute that has cost taxpayers billions in settlements linked to contract terminations and legal battles.

Controversial Tender Still Fresh

Further compounding the situation is a controversial July 2025 tender for the Pangani-Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi road project, issued during Kimeli’s acting tenure.

The tender restricted eligible bidders to Chinese firms or consortia, citing financing arrangements with the China Export-Import Bank. The move sparked immediate backlash for allegedly violating procurement laws that promote fair competition and local participation.

The notice was abruptly withdrawn days later without explanation, leaving the project in limbo and raising questions about decision-making within the agency.

Billions at Stake

The stakes surrounding KeNHA’s operations remain enormous. The agency is currently overseeing billions of shillings in infrastructure funding, including major highway projects and donor-backed initiatives.

With such vast resources under its control, experts warn that any weaknesses in procurement oversight could have far-reaching economic consequences.

A recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) pointed to systemic weaknesses in Kenya’s public procurement enforcement, noting that infrastructure projects remain particularly vulnerable to manipulation and cartel behaviour.

Growing Calls for Accountability

As pressure mounts, governance advocates are calling for immediate investigations into the latest allegations, urging oversight bodies to act swiftly.

They argue that institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and parliamentary committees must intervene to establish the facts and restore public confidence.

Despite the controversy, Kimeli has yet to publicly address the allegations. Instead, he has continued with official duties, including site visits alongside KeNHA Board leadership, as part of efforts to accelerate infrastructure development.

Uncertain Road Ahead

For Kimeli, the early days of his tenure now present a defining test. Whether he can steer KeNHA away from its troubled past or becomes entangled in its long-standing governance challenges remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that the agency’s credibility—and the management of billions in public funds—now hangs in the balance as calls for transparency grow louder.

The post KeNHA Boss Kimeli Under Fire Days After Appointment as Fresh Tender Scandal Explodes appeared first on Daily Trends.

Dramatic scenes unfolded in the capital Monday evening after police officers stormed City Hall in a failed attempt to arrest Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who is now reportedly on the run following a Senate-issued warrant for contempt of Parliament.

According to Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud, officers were acting on a lawful arrest order issued by a Senate watchdog committee after Sakaja allegedly snubbed multiple summons to answer audit queries.

Police arrived at City Hall late Monday but failed to apprehend the governor, who is believed to have narrowly escaped moments before their arrival, raising suspicions that he may have been tipped off about the impending operation.

“We will not relent. We are conducting a night operation to ensure he is arrested and presented before the Senate by tomorrow,” Mohamud said, signaling an escalation in efforts to track down the embattled county boss.

The arrest warrant stems from proceedings by a Senate oversight committee tasked with examining financial and administrative conduct within county governments. Lawmakers had summoned Sakaja to respond to audit concerns, but he reportedly failed to appear, prompting the committee to invoke its constitutional powers to compel attendance.

The Senate has increasingly taken a hardline stance against governors who ignore its summons, warning that failure to comply undermines parliamentary oversight and accountability in the management of public resources.

In a related development, police have also been directed to arrest Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit, who similarly failed to honour Senate summons.

Mohamud confirmed that officers are actively pursuing both governors, suggesting that the crackdown could widen if more county chiefs are found in contempt of Parliament.

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Prominent city lawyer Kimani Wachira is at the centre of a high-stakes corruption probe after he was dramatically arrested in what investigators describe as a Sh10 million ($80,000) bribery scheme linked to a High Court dispute.

The arrest, carried out by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), unfolded at the upscale Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary in Karen on March 9, in an operation that has since sent shockwaves through Kenya’s legal and political circles.

Dramatic Sting at Karen Spa

According to investigators, Wachira was among four individuals apprehended during what authorities say was a covert operation targeting a suspected bribery ring seeking to influence a court case outcome.

Also arrested were former High Court judge Joseph Mutava, city auctioneer and politician Kennedy Ngambau Mulwa, and businessman Tom Awili.

The four were taken into custody at Integrity Centre Police Station before being released the following day on a cash bail of Sh200,000 each.

In a statement, the EACC said the suspects had allegedly demanded $80,000 (approximately Sh10 million) from a litigant in exchange for influencing a commercial case before the High Court.

Tuju Linked to the Case

The alleged victim in the case is former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, who had earlier suffered a legal setback after the High Court dismissed a key application tied to a multibillion-shilling commercial dispute.

Investigators believe the March 9 meeting was convened shortly after the ruling, with claims that the suspects sought to exploit the situation by offering to “fix” the outcome in exchange for payment.

Reports indicate that at least Sh1 million in cash exchanged hands during the meeting, forming part of the evidence now under review.

Explosive Allegations Emerge

The case has taken an even more sensational turn following claims, yet to be officially confirmed, that the alleged bribe may have been intended to influence a sitting High Court judge.

The judge, Josephine Mongare, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and obtained court orders halting investigations against her.

Authorities have not formally linked her to the alleged scheme, and investigations remain ongoing.

Wachira Fights Back

Wachira has mounted a fierce defence, accusing the EACC of entrapment and procedural misconduct. Through his legal team, the advocate has demanded a public apology from the commission, the return of seized property, and a halt to investigations.

His defence hinges largely on claims that the money recovered during the meeting was not a bribe, but a facilitation fee allegedly paid to one of the co-accused for connecting the parties.

Wachira maintains that he acted strictly within his professional mandate and did not solicit any payment.

Troubling Questions

However, investigators say several aspects of the case raise serious questions, including:

• The urgency with which the meeting was arranged immediately after the court ruling
• The presence of a disgraced former judge at a private legal consultation
• The large sums of cash introduced at an early stage of engagement

Legal analysts note that Wachira’s association with Mutava—who was previously removed from the bench over misconduct—could complicate his defence.

Case Now with DPP

The EACC has since forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and possible charges.

If prosecuted and found guilty, the suspects could face serious penalties under Kenya’s anti-corruption laws, including lengthy prison terms and professional sanctions.

Wider Implications

The case has reignited debate over corruption within Kenya’s justice system, with calls for greater accountability and transparency in handling high-value commercial disputes.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has yet to issue a formal statement on Wachira’s arrest, despite growing public interest in the matter.

What Next?

As investigations continue, the case is expected to test the integrity of Kenya’s legal and judicial institutions, particularly if more evidence emerges linking senior figures to the alleged scheme.

For now, Kimani Wachira remains a free man, but one whose reputation and career now hang in the balance as one of the country’s most explosive bribery probes unfolds.

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A dramatic seizure of a suspicious shipping container in Kamakis on the outskirts of Nairobi has exposed what investigators describe as one of the most sophisticated tax evasion and smuggling operations in recent years, drawing in Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and Interpol.

The container, numbered MAGU5438993, had originated from the United States, passed through the Port of Mombasa, and was cleared through the Compact Special Economic Zone in Nairobi under what authorities now term “deeply irregular” circumstances. It was intercepted at Viken Thirty Industrial Park just hours before disappearing into Kenya’s vast informal trade networks.

Whistleblower Tip Sparks High-Level Investigation

The operation was triggered by an internal whistleblower within KRA who flagged irregularities in the container’s clearance. The tip-off prompted immediate action from the Commissioner General’s office, leading to the targeted interception.

Investigators say the container had already been issued with official customs release documentation—raising red flags about possible insider collusion within the verification system.

The seizure has since triggered a multi-agency investigation, with several senior KRA verification officers now facing interdiction and possible prosecution.

Key Suspects: Dual Citizen and Nairobi-Based Associate

At the center of the probe is Peter Mwaniki Maina, a Kenyan national with dual U.S. citizenship, believed to have orchestrated the smuggling network.

Authorities allege that Maina coordinated an international syndicate exploiting Kenya’s customs systems, with his second wife, Stacy Wangari Njiri, playing a key operational role locally.

Njiri is reportedly linked to the handling, storage, and redistribution of the goods within Nairobi, operating from a residence along Kiambu Road.

The pair are said to have promoted a logistics firm, Arisilva Logistics, which investigators suspect served as a front for the illegal operation.

Neither suspect had been formally charged at the time of publication, with authorities emphasizing that investigations remain ongoing.

How the Smuggling Scheme Worked

According to investigators, the syndicate exploited loopholes in Kenya’s returning residents tax exemption programme, which allows citizens living abroad to import personal goods duty-free.

Authorities allege the suspects:

• Used falsified identities and documentation
• Declared commercial goods as personal effects
• Secured fraudulent tax exemptions
• Leveraged insider access within KRA systems to clear shipments

The seized container reportedly arrived aboard the vessel CMA CGM Puccini on February 21, 2026, shipped via ECU Worldwide USA and processed through multiple logistics channels before reaching Nairobi.

Preliminary findings suggest the shipment may have contained undeclared goods, including suspected counterfeit items and possibly illicit substances—expanding the case beyond tax evasion into organized crime and public safety concerns.

Wider Crackdown at Mombasa Port

The Kamakis seizure is part of a broader enforcement crackdown at the Port of Mombasa, where KRA recently uncovered another tax evasion scheme involving fraudulent digital payment records.

In that operation:

• Six KRA officials were interdicted
• 21 clearing agents had licenses suspended
• KSh 452.5 million in unpaid taxes was recovered

Investigators found fake invoices logged in both iTax and customs systems, falsely indicating tax payments via M-Pesa transactions that never occurred—so-called “digital ghost payments.”

Kenya’s Ports Under Pressure from Organized Crime

The latest scandal adds to a growing list of high-profile smuggling cases linked to Kenya’s main trade gateway.

Recent incidents include:

• Disappearance of 199 containers of rice worth over KSh 120 million in 2025
• Interception of 9.37 million contraband cigarettes valued at KSh 281.1 million in January 2026
• Seizure of 23 smuggled prime movers with altered chassis numbers across multiple countries

Experts say criminal networks are increasingly exploiting:

• Tax exemption loopholes
• Insider corruption within clearance systems
• High cargo volumes that limit physical inspections

Interpol Involvement Signals Global Reach

The entry of Interpol into the investigation underscores the transnational nature of the syndicate.

Authorities believe the network may span multiple jurisdictions, with potential links to international supply chains and financial systems.

If charges are filed and proven, suspects could face prosecution under multiple legal frameworks, including:

• East African Community Customs Management Act
• Kenya’s Tax Procedures Act
• Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act

Extradition proceedings are also a possibility, given the international dimension of the case.

KRA Intensifies Anti-Corruption Reforms

The scandal comes as KRA ramps up internal reforms aimed at combating fraud and revenue leakage.

The authority recently appointed a new Commissioner for Investigations and Enforcement and is rolling out advanced intelligence systems to track suspicious transactions and build detailed risk profiles.

Internal data shows a sharp rise in corruption-related dismissals, signaling both increased malpractice and improved detection capacity.

Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Probe

Despite the breakthrough, critical questions remain:

• How many similar consignments have slipped through undetected?
• How deep is insider collusion within customs systems?
• Is this syndicate part of a larger, entrenched network?

Investigations by KRA, DCI, and Interpol are ongoing, with officials suggesting that the individuals identified so far may represent only a fraction of those involved.

As the probe widens, the case is expected to test the integrity of Kenya’s customs systems and could mark a turning point in the fight against organized smuggling and tax evasion.

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Two officials from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) in Makueni County are at the center of a major corruption scandal after they were allegedly filmed receiving bribes from contractors in Kitengela to influence the awarding of road tenders.

The officers, identified as Moffat Kitheka (ICT) and Lilian Chepkemoi (procurement), are accused of extorting money from contractors in exchange for favorable consideration during the ongoing tender evaluation process for road projects in Makueni County.

Caught on Camera

According to reports, the two officials were last week caught red-handed in what sources describe as a “stealth operation,” where they were allegedly recorded receiving bribes from contractors operating vehicles described as a Prado and a Premio.

The evaluation process for the tenders is currently being conducted at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) grounds in Kitengela, where the officials are said to have been summoning contractors and demanding payments.

Sources claim the duo has been “auctioning” tenders to contractors willing to comply with their demands, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the procurement process.

Longstanding Allegations

Contractors and elected leaders from Makueni County have reportedly raised concerns in the past over the conduct of the two officials, accusing them of being part of a wider network involved in corrupt tendering practices.

They allege that in previous evaluations, the same officers took bribes and awarded contracts to unqualified and questionable contractors, undermining service delivery and infrastructure quality in the county.

“ These officers are causing a lot of damage and must be disciplined,” said an MP from Makueni.

“ We will not sit back and allow them mess us up.”

Calls for Immediate Action

Contractors are now appealing to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and KeRRA headquarters to urgently intervene and take disciplinary action against the implicated officers.

The scandal has sparked outrage among stakeholders, with calls for thorough investigations and prosecution of those involved to restore confidence in the tendering process.

The alleged bribery scheme threatens to compromise critical road development projects in Makueni County, with fears that contracts may be awarded based on kickbacks rather than merit.

If proven, the case could expose deep-rooted corruption within the procurement system and trigger wider investigations into operations within KeRRA.

As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on anti-corruption authorities to act swiftly and decisively in addressing the allegations and safeguarding public resources.

The post Explosive: KeRRA Officers Filmed Taking Bribes in Kitengela Tender Scam appeared first on Daily Trends.

A major scandal is rocking one of Nairobi’s most influential evangelical churches, Mamlaka Hill Chapel, as its presiding bishop, Charles Muhia Ng’ang’a, faces explosive allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a congregant’s wife and alleged misuse of church funds.

The drama unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts, where long-serving church member Njihia Njoroge filed a replying affidavit in response to Bishop Muhia’s defamation suit.

In it, Njoroge claims to have uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages and audio recordings that paint a disturbing picture of personal and financial misconduct.

Shocking WhatsApp Messages

According to the affidavit, the scandal began in October 2025 when Njoroge’s 14-year-old daughter came into possession of a mobile phone previously used by his wife, EN. On the device, Njoroge discovered messages from the Bishop that he says were “wholly inappropriate” for a spiritual leader.

Some of the texts included declarations of affection and late-night communications that Njoroge described as crossing professional and moral boundaries:

• “I’ve never worked with anybody as lovely and thoughtful as you… just know that I love you so much!”
• “Thanks EN, meanwhile we’re showering in the office”
• “It’s why I need you in my life”

Njoroge says the discovery left him feeling “profoundly betrayed,” especially since he had previously approached the Bishop privately, following biblical guidance, to address growing tensions in his marriage.

Bishop Admits to Messaging

During a private meeting recorded by Njoroge, the Bishop reportedly admitted to sending the messages, calling them “inappropriate” but denying any physical relationship. He allegedly said, “May God kill me and remove me from this world if I have ever touched your wife or desired to sleep with her.”

While acknowledging his wrongdoing, the Bishop reportedly did not propose accountability measures or suggest that EN should step aside, leaving Njoroge feeling the matter remained unresolved.

Alleged Financial Misconduct

Beyond the personal scandal, the affidavit reveals messages pointing to potential misuse of church funds. Njoroge alleges that EN was being asked to process construction cheques, send money for personal vehicle repairs, handle church accounts, and even forward personal medication to the Bishop.

Messages included instructions like:

• “Hi EN, please text me registration of the personal vehicle repaired with church funds.”
• “Process two construction cheques, one immediately and one to be held… I’m trying to get as much done before Christmas as possible.”

Njoroge’s legal team argues that these messages suggest EN was exploited both emotionally and professionally, functioning as the Bishop’s personal assistant, procurement officer, and confidante, while her husband remained in the dark.

Church in Turmoil

This case has sent shockwaves through Mamlaka Hill Chapel, raising serious questions about leadership, accountability, and ethics in religious institutions.

With audio recordings, WhatsApp messages, and evidence of financial directives now in court, the drama shows no signs of ending soon.

The unfolding saga has captured national attention, raising concerns about the blurred lines between personal misconduct and institutional governance in Kenya’s religious institutions.

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Eight suspects have been arrested following the dismantling of a fertilizer adulteration and repackaging syndicate in Kakamega County, in a major crackdown by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) targeting fraud in the agricultural sector.

The suspects were nabbed during an intelligence-led operation at Ejinja Village in Rurambi Sub-County, where detectives uncovered what they described as a processing and distribution hub for fake fertilizer products.

Taking to social media on Friday, March 20, 2026, DCI stated that those arrested include the alleged mastermind Napoline Murende Wakukha, alongside Isaya Chepkose Marende, Brivin Yeswa, Milkzadek Meja Nandwa, Martin Shilabula, Strola Deptica, Pascal Wathika Omusikoyo, and Jesca Bulimo.

“Eight suspects have been arrested following the dismantling of a suspected fertilizer adulteration and repackaging syndicate in Ejinja Village, Rurambi Sub-County, Kakamega County, after a targeted, intelligence-led operation by detectives,” DCI stated.

“The arrested individuals include the principal suspect, Napoline Murende Wakukha, alongside Isaya Chepkose Marende, Brivin Yeswa, Milkzadek Meja Nandwa, Martin Shilabula, Strola Deptica, Pascal Wathika Omusikoyo, and Jesca Bulimo.”

According to the DCI, a joint team drawn from its Operations Support Unit and Kakamega offices conducted the raid after weeks of surveillance and actionable intelligence.

Investigators established that the premises was being used to illegally handle and alter Government of Kenya (G.O.K) subsidized fertilizer intended for farmers.

“A joint team of detectives drawn from DCI Headquarters — Operations Support Unit and their Kakamega-based counterparts conducted the raid at a homestead that had been identified as a processing and distribution point for fraudulent fertilizer products targeting unsuspecting farmers,” the statement reads.

“The operation followed sustained surveillance and actionable intelligence, which established that the premises was being used for the illegal handling of Government of Kenya (G.O.K) subsidized fertilizer.”

During the operation, detectives recovered two vehicles, a Toyota Fielder and a Mazda CX-5, both loaded with fertilizer bags, some full and others empty.

Authorities also seized large quantities of fertilizer of various brands, including UREA TOSHA labelled as subsidized fertilizer, YARA products, BORA BORA variants, MEA CAN, DAP, and CALCIGROW granules.

Of particular concern was fertilizer suspected to have been tampered with, including contents from 39 bags of OCP Africa TSP labelled as government-subsidized input.

In addition, officers recovered empty branded bags, 48 packets of cement colour pigment believed to have been used to alter the appearance of fertilizer, and three sewing machines used for repackaging the products for resale.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the group targeted registered farmers by persuading them to redeem government-issued subsidy vouchers on their behalf in exchange for small incentives.

The fertilizer would then be diverted, adulterated using pigments to mimic high-value products such as DAP, repackaged, and sold at full market prices.

Detectives also suspect possible collusion with individuals linked to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots in Voi and Webuye, which may have facilitated the irregular acquisition of subsidized fertilizer.

Authorities warned that such practices undermine government subsidy programmes, expose farmers to financial losses, and threaten agricultural productivity.

The scene has since been processed by Crime Scene Investigation personnel, with the suspects remaining in custody pending arraignment in court.

The DCI reiterated its commitment to protecting key government programmes from exploitation and ensuring those involved in economic sabotage are brought to justice.

Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving the illegal handling or sale of subsidized farm inputs.

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The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has detailed how a sophisticated multi-million shilling fraud scheme targeting foreign investors was executed inside Harambee House, leading to the arrest of seven suspects.

In a press statement issued on Friday, March 20, 2026, the agency dismissed what it termed as “misleading and sensationalized” media reports, clarifying that no serving government officials were involved in the elaborate scam.

According to investigators, the fraud dates back to January 10, 2026, when a foreign investor, Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun of Swedish firm Jokara AB, received an unsolicited WhatsApp message from an individual identified as Stanley Ndawula.

Ndawula later linked the investor to Geoffrey Were, who allegedly posed as a consultant working with government agencies. The suspects then lured the investor into what appeared to be a lucrative government tender involving the supply of 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof ambulances.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) wishes to set the record straight and strongly refute misleading and sensationalized headlines and reports appearing in sections of the media, particularly The Standard, concerning the arrest of seven individuals at Harambee House on 10th March, 2026,” the statement reads in part.

“Key facts of the matter are as follows: Mr. On 10th March, 2026, DCI detectives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested seven suspects who had illegally accessed a boardroom on the 12th floor of Harambee House. The suspects were masquerading as officials from the Ministry of Interior, National Treasury, Ministry of Health and had lured two foreign nationals Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun, representing M/S Jokara AB (a Swedish company), and his brother Mr. Hatem Youssef Yousef Zaitoun into a fictitious government tender for the supply of 500 Toyota Hiace High Roof Ambulances.”

On January 26, the investor travelled to Kenya and was received at the airport before being escorted to Harambee House. With the help of an accomplice, the suspects facilitated unauthorized access into the building.

Inside, the victim was ushered into a boardroom and introduced to individuals posing as officials from the National Treasury and Ministry of Health. He was presented with forged documents, including fake prequalification certificates allegedly signed by senior government officials.

The fraudsters offered two “investment packages,” with the victim opting for a USD 110,000 deal for multiple business opportunities.

Investigations reveal that on January 30, the victim transferred USD 110,000 to an account belonging to a law firm in Kenya.

On February 11, an additional USD 360,750 was wired under the pretext of insurance costs, bringing the total amount lost to USD 470,750 (over KSh 60 million).

The suspects later demanded an additional USD 1.08 million, prompting the victims to return to Kenya for further negotiations—unaware that detectives were already tracking the scheme.

On March 10, DCI detectives moved in and arrested the suspects inside a boardroom on the 12th floor of Harambee House, where they had again arranged a meeting with the victims.

Those arrested include Geoffrey Were Odondi, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Kororia Simatwa, Evans Simotwo, Allan Muthaiga Kariuki, Munialo Jared Masinde, and Purity Njeri Njiami.

DCI said Njiami, a former public servant, played a key role in facilitating unauthorized access to restricted areas but held no current government position.

The suspects were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on March 16, where they faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery, and money laundering.

They pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of KSh 5 million each or a cash bail of KSh 300,000 with two sureties. Their passports were confiscated, and the case is set for mention on April 1, 2026.

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Seven suspects linked to an alleged multi-million dollar fraud scheme involving a fake government contract have been arraigned before a Nairobi court and charged with multiple offences.

The 7 accused include Michafi Musyoki Ngumbi, Evans Simotwo, Geofrey Were Odondi, Allan Mutahi Kariuki, Purity Nieri Niamu, Muniaro Jared Masinde and Kororia Simatwa —appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Teresa Nyangena, where they denied all the charges.

However, their co-accused, Rose Mbuthia, failed to appear in court, prompting the magistrate to issue summons requiring her to appear before the court.

According to court documents, the eight are accused of conspiring to defraud a foreign national, Talal Yousef Yousef Zaitoun, of USD 470,750 (approximately KSh 60 million).

The prosecution alleges that between January 10 and February 25, 2026, the group falsely claimed they were in a position to secure a Kenyan government tender for the supply and delivery of 500 high-roof diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances.

The court heard that the suspects allegedly misrepresented themselves as capable of facilitating the contract purportedly from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration — claims investigators say were false.

In a separate charge co-accused Geofrey Were Odondi faces charges of obtaining money by false pretences, with prosecutors stating that he received the funds through Lianyungang Chanta International Wood Company Limited under the guise of facilitating the non-existent deal.

Odondi is also charged with acquisition of proceeds of crime after allegedly receiving USD 450,750 through an Equity Bank account registered under Damira Multiactivities, knowing or having reason to believe the funds were proceeds of crime.

Additionally, Michafi Musyoki Ngumbi faces two counts of forgery. He is accused of forging a contract agreement purportedly between the Ministry of Interior and a foreign firm, Jokara AB, for the ambulance supply, as well as a letter of notification of award to make the deal appear legitimate.

All the accused present in court denied the charges.

Magistrate Nyangena released each of the seven accused persons on a cash bail of Sh300,000 and directed that Rose Mbuthia appear before court as summoned. The case will be mentioned on a later date.

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A Nairobi court has blocked an attempt by prosecutors to withdraw criminal charges against a director of Heritage Flowers Ltd accused of threatening to shoot and kill a business rival, ruling that the reasons presented did not meet the constitutional threshold required to halt the case.

Milimani Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo declined an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions led by Renson Ingonga, saying the court could not endorse what she described as an unexplained reversal by the prosecution.

The ruling means that Shaileshi Kumari Rai, a director at Heritage Flowers Ltd, will proceed to trial over allegations that he threatened to kill businessman Punjani Riyaz Mahammadali during a confrontation in Nairobi.

Magistrate Mugo ruled that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate why it now considered the evidence insufficient despite previously approving charges and setting the case down for hearing.

“Justice is served when prosecutorial power is exercised with transparency, consistency and fidelity to the Constitution,” the magistrate said while rejecting the request to withdraw the case under Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

She warned that courts cannot allow the criminal justice system to become “a revolving door where decisions shift without explanation.”

According to the court, prosecutors had earlier reviewed the investigation file, approved the charges and arraigned the accused after concluding that the available evidence met the legal threshold for prosecution. However, in seeking to terminate the case, the prosecution merely cited “insufficiency of evidence” without explaining what had changed.

“There is no evidence demonstrating the emergence of new material, recantation of key witnesses, loss of exhibits or any supervening circumstance that would justify the abrupt shift in position,” the magistrate said.

The court further found that prosecutors had breached provisions of the Victim Protection Act (Kenya) by failing to inform the complainant of their intention to withdraw the charges.

Magistrate Mugo noted that the complainant had been actively involved in the proceedings and had even secured legal representation. Under Kenya’s constitutional framework, victims are entitled to participate in criminal proceedings and must be informed of key prosecutorial decisions.

“It is unfathomable for the prosecution to waive the complainant’s right to be informed and involved in the decision to withdraw the charges,” she ruled, adding that victims are no longer passive spectators in criminal trials.

The magistrate cited jurisprudence from the Supreme Court of Kenya, which recognizes victims as active participants in the justice process within constitutionally defined limits.

Court documents indicate that Rai is accused of threatening Mahammadali on May 27, 2022, in Parklands, within Westlands Sub-County in Nairobi.

The charge sheet stated that without lawful excuse, he uttered unprintable words with Hindu language meaning “****” I will come and shoot you in the *** right now” words which directly caused Punjani to receive threats.

Prosecutors allege that during the confrontation he uttered threatening words in Hindi indicating that he would immediately shoot the complainant, causing him to fear for his life.

Although the defence has suggested the dispute is linked to a business rivalry and possible civil disagreements, the magistrate said the existence of a commercial dispute does not automatically negate criminal liability.

“While the court appreciates that criminal proceedings should not be weaponized to settle civil disputes, where a criminal element is disclosed the charges may still be sustained,” she said.

Mugo emphasized that while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has constitutional authority to review or discontinue prosecutions, such decisions must comply with Article 157(11) of the Constitution, which requires prosecutors to consider public interest, the administration of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process.

Allowing the withdrawal without explanation, the magistrate warned, would reduce the court’s oversight role to a ceremonial endorsement of prosecutorial decisions.

“The court must ensure that prosecutorial discretion is exercised lawfully, in good faith and not in abuse of the process,” she ruled.

Rai remains out on cash bail as the case proceeds to hearing at the Milimani Law Courts.

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Kenya’s public health financing system has been rocked by a damning audit that exposes massive irregularities amounting to Sh49.29 billion within the Social Health Authority (SHA), raising serious questions about the integrity of the country’s Universal Health Coverage programme.

A report by Nancy Gathungu covering the 2024/25 financial year details widespread unsupported payments, fraudulent claims, and systemic weaknesses in the management of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the main financing arm of the government’s health insurance system.

Among the most shocking findings are records showing a patient who allegedly underwent open heart surgery four times in a single day and another whose medical records indicate ten childbirth deliveries within a single year, all of which were approved and paid for by the fund.

Auditors say these are not simple data errors but indicators of a deeply compromised claims system.

Billions in unsupported claims

According to the report, the fund processed Sh49.29 billion in irregular, unsupported, or potentially fraudulent transactions during the year under review.

The figure is staggering: SHIF collected Sh57.7 billion in total contributions, meaning the questionable transactions account for more than 85 percent of all contributions.

The largest share of irregularities involves Sh26.84 billion in unsupported claims paid to health facilities, with no documentation proving that services were actually delivered to patients.

Auditors say the payments account for nearly a third of the fund’s disbursements during the year.

Beyond unsupported claims, the report identified Sh7.32 billion paid to 1,091 facilities for services not authorised under the SHIF benefits package, and Sh1.57 billion paid to health facilities that were not contracted by the authority.

Another Sh4.78 billion was disbursed using service codes that have not been gazetted, making the payments legally questionable.

Surgical and maternity claims raise alarm

The audit also flagged 3,235 instances of repeat or unapproved surgical procedures, with a total payout of Sh445 million.

In one extreme case, records showed a patient undergoing open heart surgery four times within a single day, a medical scenario experts say is physiologically impossible.

“Open heart surgery involves stopping the heart and placing the patient on a bypass machine,” a medical professional familiar with such procedures said. “The recovery alone takes months, making multiple surgeries in a day impossible.”

Similarly, auditors identified 6,392 cases of repeated childbirth claims, including one patient whose record showed ten deliveries within the same year.

The total payout for the maternity-related anomalies was Sh148 million, auditors noted.

Missing transfers and unexplained payments

The report further raises concerns about missing or unexplained fund transfers.

Auditors found that while SHIF reported transferring Sh7.3 billion to the Social Health Authority, the authority only recorded receiving Sh3.9 billion, leaving Sh3.37 billion unaccounted for.

In another anomaly, Sh1.34 billion was transferred to the bank account of the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) between January and June 2025, despite the fund having been replaced by the Social Health Authority.

The audit report notes there is no documented explanation for the transfer or where the money eventually went.

Technology system under scrutiny

The findings also cast doubt on the integrity of the digital claims platform used to process payments.

The system, which is part of a Sh104.8 billion technology contract, is operated by a private consortium led by Safaricom PLC alongside Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions.

Auditors say the system was deployed without comprehensive testing, lacks proper governance frameworks, and is not owned by the government.

The report further notes that the Social Health Authority does not have full control over the digital infrastructure used to process claims, raising concerns about oversight and accountability.

Fraud investigations underway

The audit findings come as criminal investigations into health insurance fraud continue.

In February 2026, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions approved charges against several hospital owners and a regulatory official linked to fraudulent facility licensing.

Among those charged is Harun Liluma, a senior employee of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council accused of facilitating the illegal licensing of medical facilities that later received payments from the health fund.

Financial sustainability concerns

The audit also raises concerns about the sustainability of the health insurance system.

While the fund collected Sh57.7 billion in contributions, it spent Sh96.1 billion on claims and operations, leaving it with a deficit of Sh38.3 billion.

Auditors say this means the fund disbursed 158 percent of the contributions it collected, a trend that could threaten the programme’s long-term viability.

Growing calls for accountability

The findings have intensified calls for a comprehensive investigation into the management of the Social Health Authority and the wider Universal Health Coverage programme championed by President William Ruto.

Governance experts argue that the scale of the irregularities points to systemic weaknesses across multiple institutions responsible for regulating and processing health insurance claims.

The case against the accused individuals linked to fraudulent facility licensing is expected to be mentioned at Milimani Law Courts on March 12, 2026, but analysts say the prosecutions so far represent only a small fraction of the alleged financial exposure.

With nearly Sh50 billion in questioned transactions, the Auditor-General’s report has placed Kenya’s health insurance system under intense public scrutiny, raising urgent questions about how billions intended for patient care could have been siphoned through ghost surgeries, phantom births, and questionable claims.

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Fresh allegations from insiders within the National Land Commission have ignited controversy at the heart of Kenya’s land administration system, with officials accusing the commission’s Director of Valuation and Taxation, Joel Ombati Nyamweya, of presiding over a network manipulating land compensation linked to multi-billion-shilling government infrastructure projects.

Sources within the commission, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation, claim the valuation directorate at Ardhi House has become the focal point of a sophisticated scheme involving inflated land valuations tied to compulsory land acquisition for major national projects.

Ombati has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Strategic office with enormous influence

The Director of Valuation and Taxation holds one of the most powerful technical positions in Kenya’s land governance structure.

The office determines the compensation value of land acquired by the government for infrastructure projects. This figure ultimately decides how billions of shillings in public funds are distributed to affected landowners.

According to insiders, this authority has turned the office into what one official described as “a goldmine wrapped in a government gazette.”

“Every compulsory acquisition file eventually lands on that desk,” said one long-serving officer at the commission. “If the number changes there, the entire compensation process changes.”

Mega infrastructure projects at stake

The controversy emerges as the government pushes forward with two of the most expensive infrastructure initiatives in the country’s history.

One is the planned expansion of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway, a major transport corridor linking Nairobi to western Kenya.

The second is the proposed extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu, a project expected to transform regional trade and logistics.

Both projects require the government to acquire thousands of acres of private land, a process conducted by the National Land Commission on behalf of agencies such as the Kenya National Highways Authority and the Kenya Railways Corporation.

Treasury allocations for land compensation alone run into tens of billions of shillings.

Claims of inflated valuations

Officials familiar with the valuation process claim some compensation assessments have been dramatically inflated beyond prevailing market rates.

According to sources, networks of brokers, lawyers, and surveyors allegedly identify parcels along planned infrastructure corridors before the public announcement of projects.

These parcels are then positioned for compensation through claims that insiders say may exceed market value by wide margins.

“They know which land will be acquired before the public does,” one official claimed. “By the time the project is gazetted, the beneficiaries are already in place.”

Allegations of sidelining staff

Several officers within the commission claim that junior valuers with institutional knowledge have been excluded from key valuation exercises linked to the projects.

Instead, they allege that certain files are handled outside the usual internal processes.

“He does not work with the team that has always done valuations,” said one officer. “Many of us are simply told to stay away from those corridor files.”

Such claims have raised concerns about transparency in the handling of large compensation budgets.

Concerns over stalled digitisation

Another point of contention involves efforts to digitise the land acquisition process.

The commission had proposed a digital system to document parcels, verify ownership, and reduce fraud in compensation claims.

However, sources indicate that the system’s implementation has been slow and inconsistent.

“The digital system would make the process transparent,” said an official familiar with the project. “Once everything is recorded electronically, it becomes difficult to manipulate valuations or insert false claims.”

Allegations of conflict of interest

Some insiders have also raised concerns that individuals linked to the valuation process may have acquired land along proposed project corridors ahead of official notices.

These claims have not been independently verified.

If proven, legal experts say such actions could amount to a conflict of interest under anti-corruption laws governing public officials involved in compulsory land acquisition.

Institution with a troubled history

The latest allegations come against the backdrop of past corruption scandals at the commission.

In 2018, former commission chair Muhammad Swazuri and officials from the Kenya Railways Corporation faced charges related to alleged irregular compensation payments connected to earlier phases of the SGR project.

Investigations at the time uncovered cases where land values were significantly inflated or compensation was paid for parcels outside designated railway corridors.

Auditors also reported instances of double payments and compensation for land already owned by government agencies.

Calls for investigation

Governance experts say the seriousness of the allegations now being raised requires independent scrutiny.

They argue that agencies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations should examine claims of manipulation within the valuation process.

Parliamentary committees responsible for lands and infrastructure oversight have also previously demanded greater transparency in land compensation tied to major national projects.

High political stakes

The infrastructure projects at the centre of the controversy form part of the development agenda of President William Ruto, who has promised to accelerate transport infrastructure and regional trade corridors.

Any corruption scandal surrounding land compensation for these projects could complicate their implementation and fuel political debate ahead of the next general election cycle.

For now, the claims remain allegations raised by insiders, but they have intensified scrutiny on one of the most sensitive and financially consequential offices within Kenya’s land administration system.

Whether investigators will act on the claims may determine whether the controversies surrounding land compensation in Kenya’s infrastructure projects are finally resolved — or repeated yet again.

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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Kenya Power and Lighting Company (Kenya Power) employee over allegations of extorting Sh300,000 from a customer in exchange for restoring electricity supply at Runda Mumwe Estate in Nairobi.

The suspect, identified as Bernard Githinji Maina, is a meter reader attached to the Runda sector.

Alleged Sh300,000 Demand

According to the Commission, the suspect allegedly demanded Sh300,000 from a resident on January 24, 2026, promising to facilitate the reconnection of electricity that had been disconnected months earlier.

Investigators say the suspect further threatened the complainant with a punitive electricity bill of Sh2 million if he failed to comply with the demand.

Preliminary findings indicate that power to the estate had been disconnected on October 25, 2025, over what was cited as an illegal connection. However, the complainant reportedly had no outstanding electricity bill arrears at the time.

Arrest in Sting Operation

The EACC stated that it received a formal complaint on February 27, 2026, triggering investigations that culminated in a sting operation.

The suspect was arrested while allegedly receiving Sh180,000 from the complainant at Runda Mumwe Estate.

Following his arrest, he was escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing before being transferred to Kilimani Police Station, where he spent the night in custody.

He was later released on a cash bail of Sh50,000 pending the completion of investigations.

Commission Reaffirms Anti-Bribery Drive

In a statement, the EACC reiterated its commitment to combating bribery, particularly at public service delivery points.

“The Commission remains resolute in dismantling corrupt networks that exploit citizens seeking essential services,” the agency said, adding that it would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

Broader Concerns Over Service Delivery

The arrest adds to growing public concern over alleged corruption within critical service sectors, including utilities.

Kenya Power has in the past warned customers against engaging staff members directly in unofficial transactions and encouraged reporting of suspected bribery attempts through official channels.

The EACC has urged members of the public to report any instances of extortion or bribery to facilitate prompt investigations and enforcement action.

The suspect is expected to be formally charged once investigations are concluded.

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By DCI

Abdinoor Sharmake Mohamed, the accused in a case of Conspiracy to Defraud and Giving False Information to a Person Employed in Public Office that involved a USD 394,209 fraudulent scheme has been charged at Makadara Law Courts.

The investigation of the case implicating him and three accomplices, Muna Dahir Dalmar, Salma Osman Gureye and Shamis Warsame Osman (the three at large), commenced in 2023, when the suspects reported at Pangani Police Station to have been defrauded the said amount by a businessman, who would later be vindicated by investigations as the victim of a fraud cartel.

In their fabricated allegations, the suspects claimed to have handed over USD 394,209 in cash to the businessman in 2022, money that constituted an investment in his company, African Express Cargo, and intended for a joint cargo business venture in Nairobi. They further alleged that upon receiving the funds, he had become evasive, failed to commence operations, and subsequently fled to a neighboring country. To substantiate their claims, the “complainants” produced an Acknowledgement of Debt dated 2nd May 2023, ostensibly executed by the businessman in the presence of an advocate.

Detectives from Starehe took over the investigation, profiled the alleged suspect before finally cornering him at JKIA in March, 2025. But on his arrest, a twist of events unfolded. Contrary to the reported complaints, the man claimed to have been abducted by individuals who posed as police officers, illegally detained, seizure of his passport and compulsion under duress to execute the debt agreement. He further alleged to have been forced to pay USD 17,000 to secure his release and passport, and a further USD 30,000 under threat of deportation.

The new information prompted a painstaking investigation, which disproved the earlier reported case. It emerged that the report at Pangani Police Station was fabricated by the daring suspects to boost their fraudulence art. Detectives unearthed that the victim was not in the country on the dates said to have committed the fraud offence, and neither were the three suspects who are still at large. Further, there was no record of either party’s presence at the Nairobi hotel where the transactions were reported to have taken place.

The case file was forwarded to the ODPP, who found the reported case to constitute a deliberate provision of false information to public officers, executed with the specific intent to coerce, extort, and pervert the course of justice.

Consequently, Abdinoor Sharmake Mohamed was hunted down, arrested and charged vide MCCR No E1091/2026 in respect of the aforementioned offences, but his three counterparts holed up. They are being sought.

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The Namanve Industrial Park is now the largest in Africa and the hope of all Investors and people of Uganda was that it would become a World Class Facility.

Unfortunately, reality check tells us that this dream must be thrown out of the window as so many issues, primarily due to its design, produced by the alleged corrupt and now retired Hamza Galiwango.

He literally allegedly had zero experience in an Industrial Park but was given the task to design this spectacular park, but instead saw it and others merely as a money-making opportunity.

There are only 3 estates and you guessed it was, none of them are connected but no services. Every activity in each estate was designed only to maximize the income of certain individuals, as the proof is in the pudding, can be seen today, with massive problems, one after another.

Right now, we have the largest Industrial park with zero infrastructure developments and more important no road network to interconnect all the investors and other areas etc. in a systematic and intelligent manner. This should have been the first step, if UIA had hired a designer with experience, knowledge and common sense.

Only a madman would design the largest Industrial Park in Africa with zero services, zero drainage and zero road inter-connectivity even to the area where the Jinja Expressway is expected. As a result, the roads are always a total mess, traffic jams, accidents etc.

But sadly, once the Jinja Expressway is built, the volume of traffic into the park will be so huge, the whole place will merely collapse. Then add to this the traffic from the S.G.R. Hamza, who had never seen trucks carrying 40ft containers, ended up designing roads so small, that trucks experience difficulties even turning corners. His only gift or contribution was making money and unfortunately the DG, even today will call him for advice. This is just too much unprofessionalism.

An example can highlight this madness in the Industrial Park is the Negligence, Unpatriotic, unprofessional behavior of key players and their selfish behavior with zero regard for the Nation. Four years ago, Lagan Dott purchased land near Jinja expressway in the park, where there was a great deal of high quality murram. This was subsequently dug up in huge quantities and sold to the Industrial Park at 3 times market value.

Many SINO Dump trucks were acquired and a road built right in the HEART of the park which could directly access every section of the entire park with connectivity.

Every day 100 Murram trucks ferried the murram all over the park and in the process completely destroying all the roads destroying in the park including the tarmac roads from Roofings as each truck carried the maximum of 50 tons of murram.

For 4 years an absolute fortune was made, very selfishly, without any concern to the roads, nor the infrastructure, but in the process this road became the main artery to the heart of the park. In the process huge amount of Dust was created and many Industries suffered, terribly.

So much murram was removed, that in November 2025 it actually ran out and according to the L/C Chairman, Lagan, UIA and NEMA, allegedly wanted 150M as a bribe to keep the road open, but when refused, Lagan started removing the murram and selling it to the waste disposal project. So, they are now making profits 2 times, and Network in the heart of the park is being destroyed.

Excuses given was that this area would revert back to NEMA after years and yet with just a few culverts, this very road could or should have been maintained as a very strategic road.

We asked Lagan and URA, through L/C chairman of Kolo, if there was a detailed, Intelligent comprehensive Road Plan for the long-term success of the largest Industrial Park, having all the industries already on the ground in the park.

This plan should fall into the Jinja Expressway and the Intelligent manner it would interconnect the park and strategic flow of Huge Volumes of traffic. The answer was No. The Government and President should be concerned about the need for a sustainable long term development plan as foreign Investors will insist on such a basic plan.

Namanve Industrial Park is the Flagship Industrial Park and engine Uganda’s economic growth and it’s the responsibility of all stakeholders, to put a National Interest over monetary benefits.

The post LAGAN-DOTT And UIA Involved in Massive Fraud and Gambling with Namanve Industrial Park Roads and Infrastructure appeared first on Daily Trends.

There is a recording. Eleven minutes long. Passed in hushed circles through WhatsApp groups where Kenya’s doctors are the members. In it, an official of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, the very body charged with protecting Kenyans from incompetent and dangerous doctors, can be heard negotiating the price of impunity.

The recording has been in existence for close to three years. It was shared with the KMPDC’s own leadership. The police were never called. No charges were filed. The man on the tape kept his job.

That single audio clip has now detonated a scandal that is threatening to bring down the entire KMPDC board, trigger a nationwide doctors’ strike, and expose a regulatory body that critics say has long since stopped regulating anything except the flow of bribes.

“The KMPDC has ceased to be a regulatory body and has become a criminal enterprise.” — KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah

In the recording, a KMPDC official is heard demanding Sh500,000 in exchange for a drastically reduced punishment against a doctor who had already been found guilty of negligence. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee had recommended a one-year suspension and a Sh1 million fine. After the conversation on tape, the suspension vanished from the judgment entirely. The doctor paid half the fine. The official, according to sources familiar with the matter, pocketed the difference.

The official reportedly told the doctor that he had authored the judgment himself, and that the payment had to be settled by the following morning or the harsher ruling would stand. The two men shook hands and went their separate ways.

The recording was handed to KMPDC’s top brass. They did not report it to any investigative agency. KMPDC Chief Executive Officer Dr David Kariuki confirmed in an interview with Nation that the council does not itself investigate its board members, pointing instead to the appointing authority: the Cabinet Secretary for Health.

Asked whether Health CS Aden Duale had been informed about either the recording or the wider pattern of bribery allegations, Dr Kariuki had not responded to queries by press time.

A Marketplace in Plain Sight

Nation Media Group’s three-week investigation, which Kenya Insights has independently reviewed, surfaced a pattern of systematic extortion that goes far beyond a single audio recording.

Multiple doctors interviewed described a disciplinary process that had been transformed from a judicial mechanism into something closer to a street auction.

One doctor, whose name has been withheld for his safety and referred to here as Dr Alex, described the moment corruption became personal. After appearing before the committee to answer a complaint, colleagues on the panel informally told him what his punishment would be. He left the hearing feeling that while the process was uncomfortable, the outcome was fair.

Then the calls started. A year after his hearing concluded, someone purportedly acting on behalf of the Council rang him with what amounted to a threat.

A far more severe verdict was in the pipeline, the caller said. But for a fee of over Sh1 million, to be divided among committee members, the original milder ruling could be restored.

“They gave me a completely different version, a much more severe punishment,” Dr Alex recounted. “I called my friend from the committee who had spoken to me earlier and asked what was happening. He told me the original verdict had not changed.”

The racket was elegant in its construction. Without an insider, a doctor facing discipline had no way of knowing what the real verdict was. The threat of a harsher judgment, which may or may not even exist, was the lever. Fear and uncertainty were the mechanisms. Cash was the resolution.

Dr Alex reported the attempted extortion to the KMPDC board. Nothing was done. He eventually received the original, lesser verdict without paying a cent. But his silence was not guaranteed, and the system that failed him continues to operate.

“Council members solicit bribes from doctors facing disciplinary action, with the severity of punishment depending not on the offence but on the ability to pay.” — KMPDU

A second doctor, referred to as Dr Bernard, had a grimmer experience. When his case was resolved, the committee levied an official fine of Sh500,000 payable to the KMPDC. He paid it. Then individual board members came to him separately, demanding additional money to ensure the verdict was “taken care of.” He paid that too.

“Later, I realised they did not help me at all,” Dr Bernard said. “I paid the Sh500,000 official fine and the bribes. This is what normally happens. I have friends in this space who have been scammed and blackmailed by the Council to give bribes in exchange for favourable verdicts.”

The Widower Who Was Told to Stay Silent

While doctors describe a system that extorts them, patients describe something arguably worse: a system that ignores them entirely.

Brian Odhiambo’s voice breaks when he recalls the night of October 31, 2023. His wife Wendy Amondi arrived at Juja Road Maternity Hospital eight centimetres dilated. She had a normal pregnancy. There was every reason to expect that by morning, she and Brian would be parents.

What followed was, by Mr Odhiambo’s account, a cascading series of medical failures and institutional concealment. Labour was induced. The baby came out shoulder-first, rupturing Wendy’s cervix. She was rushed to theatre. Her uterus ruptured and was removed. She kept bleeding. Her blood pressure collapsed. A doctor summoned Mr Odhiambo to his office.

“He looked down, flipped through the documents, and said: We tried everything we could, but she is gone.”

The hospital’s paperwork showed Wendy died at 11:45pm. Mr Odhiambo was not told until 1pm the following day, nearly fourteen hours later. His bill of Sh150,000 was written off. The hospital offered to pay for the burial.

“They really wanted me out of that hospital. I could read the guilt on their faces,” he said.

Days after Wendy was buried, the attending doctor called Mr Odhiambo and advised him to settle the matter quietly. The hospital offered Sh280,000 through a non-disclosure agreement. Grieving, broke, and now a single father, Mr Odhiambo signed it. He was not given a copy.

He later filed a complaint with the KMPDC. More than two years on, the case remains unresolved. When he followed up, officials told him the case was under review. Some, he says, suggested he accept the earlier payout and move on because the case “would drag on.”

“I felt cheated twice,” Mr Odhiambo said. “First, I lost my rib, my partner, my love. Then the system that was supposed to give me answers betrayed me.”

Courts Had to Force the Council’s Hand

Mr Odhiambo’s experience is not exceptional. In at least two other documented cases, families had to drag the KMPDC to the High Court simply to obtain a judgment in proceedings that had already been heard and argued.

Irene Muthoni Wanjau filed a complaint against Dr Bernard Ndung’u of Nairobi South Hospital on January 28, 2021. She alleged negligence during a surgery that claimed her mother’s life. The matter was heard in November 2021. Both sides filed their written submissions by December. The law requires the KMPDC to deliver judgment within 60 days of the conclusion of hearing.

Two years later, there was no verdict. The KMPDC repeatedly promised delivery in the coming month. In March 2024, it promised again. Ms Wanjau went to the High Court in August 2025 to compel a ruling. The council did not respond to the court case but called her in November 2025 promising yet again to deliver by month end. It did not.

On December 15, 2025, the High Court ordered the KMPDC to deliver the judgment within 14 days. It was eventually issued on January 6, 2026, more than four years after the hearing concluded.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Kariuki

Dr Kariuki maintained in his interview that the delays were caused by “exogenous challenges” and were not the result of deliberate disregard of court orders. He cited case backlog and the need for “thorough, well-reasoned” decisions. He did not address why no judgment was delivered in the years before the court became involved.

Fake Doctors, Real Victims: The Enforcement Gap

The corruption allegations at the KMPDC’s disciplinary arm arrive against the backdrop of a wider failure of medical regulation in Kenya. In January 2026, the KMPDC was forced to shut down four illegal clinics in Nairobi’s Kawangware neighbourhood after media reports of a patient, Amos Isoka, left critically ill following a botched tooth extraction at a facility that had never been licensed.

The Council’s CEO acknowledged that the clinic had been operating illegally for more than three years without the knowledge of either Nairobi County or the KMPDC itself. The unlicensed practitioner fled before authorities arrived and had not been apprehended at the time of reporting. Isoka subsequently died from complications of the procedure.

KMPDC data shows that of 17,749 registered medical and dental practitioners in Kenya, only 11,751 are active. The Council has received a total of 1,239 complaints since its first case in 1997, of which about 1,060 have been concluded. Complaints have risen sharply in recent years, from 80 in 2021 to 132 in 2024, suggesting growing awareness among patients of their right to complain but raising questions about capacity to respond.

Critics note that a disciplinary body drowning in corruption is ill-placed to serve as a credible backstop against medical malpractice, legal or illegal. If registered doctors can buy their way to lenient sentences, the signal sent to unlicensed practitioners operating in Kawangware and beyond is one of near-total impunity.

Doctors Give Duale 14 Days

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has reached the end of its patience. On February 17, 2026, the union wrote to CS Duale demanding the dissolution of the KMPDC board within 14 days, failing which all doctors in Kenya would go on strike.

The letter, signed by KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah, described the KMPDC as a body that has “ceased to be a regulatory authority” and has instead become, in the union’s words, a criminal enterprise. The union accused the Council of extorting doctors, ignoring patients’ complaints, and delivering verdicts calibrated not by the gravity of the offence but by a doctor’s willingness to pay.

“Council members solicit bribes from doctors facing disciplinary action, with the severity of punishment depending not on the offence, but on the ability to pay,” Dr Atellah wrote. “Those who cannot pay face career-ending punishments, regardless of the merits of their case.”

The union has demanded an independent investigation into the bribery claims, a full vetting process for any replacement board, and structural reforms to restore public confidence in medical regulation. The ultimatum sits on CS Duale’s desk. The 14-day clock has begun ticking.

This latest confrontation comes as the KMPDC is already under scrutiny from a separate front. In September 2025, Health CS Duale oversaw the handover of 1,188 files from the KMPDC and the Social Health Authority to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, in what officials described as a broader crackdown on fraud in the health sector.

Under the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the EACC has the authority to investigate public offices and officers accused of corruption. Whether the audio recording and the wider pattern of bribery allegations will find their way to the commission, or whether they will be managed internally as they have been for nearly three years, remains to be seen.

What the Law Says

Kenya’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003 defines bribery, breach of trust, abuse of office, and extortion as criminal offences punishable by imprisonment. The Anti-Bribery Act 2016 requires all public entities to put in place procedures to prevent corruption. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is empowered to investigate and prosecute.

What the law does not do is enforce itself. That task belongs to institutions, and in this case the institution responsible for self-policing is the one alleged to be selling verdicts by the half million shilling.

For Mr Odhiambo, who has been trying since 2023 to find out what killed his wife, the legal architecture is irrelevant. He has tried every official channel available to him. None has delivered an answer.

“Was I signing documents for a woman who was already dead?” he asked, remembering the morning he sat in a hospital waiting room putting his name to consent forms for a surgery that, the paperwork would later show, had been concluded hours before he was called.

Nobody from the KMPDC has told him.

The post Inside the KMPDC Bribery Racket That Lets Killer Doctors Walk Free appeared first on Daily Trends.

An American investor has moved to the Environment and Land Court at Milimani, claiming he was fleeced of Sh225 million in a botched off-plan property deal tied to the high-profile 88 Nairobi development.

In court papers, the investor identified as KYH paints what he describes as a calculated scheme that led to the loss of more than Sh161 million after he committed to purchase ten premium apartments in the luxury skyscraper.

The 88 Nairobi Deal

The project, undertaken by Eighty-Eight Nairobi Limited, was marketed as Africa’s tallest residential tower and a symbol of opulence in Nairobi’s Upper Hill.

KYH says he signed the purchase agreement in March 2024 for a total consideration of Sh225 million, attracted by promises of high returns, world-class finishes, and strong capital appreciation.

According to the filings, by October 2024, he had paid approximately $1.25 million — more than 70 percent of the purchase price — fully settling seven of the ten units.

Sudden Default Notice

The dispute arose when the investor says he received a final notice demanding an additional $250,000 within three days, failure to which the developer would cancel the agreement.

He argues that the notice period was unreasonable, particularly given that he is based in the United States and frequently travels. He further claims that despite formally instructing the developer to route all official correspondence through his Kenyan lawyers, critical notices were sent directly to him.

In a sworn affidavit, he describes the move as deliberate and designed to trigger a technical default.

“What was presented as Nairobi’s iconic address has turned into a financial trap,” he states.

Liquidated Damages Clause

At the heart of the dispute is a contractual clause allowing the developer to retain up to 50 percent of the purchase price as liquidated damages in the event of default.

In this case, the investor says that could translate to roughly Sh113 million. He contends that the amount is punitive, disproportionate and amounts to unjust enrichment.

He further alleges that the developer utilized his $1.25 million to fund construction while declining to transfer title or refund the money. Under the agreement, any refund would allegedly depend on resale of the units and would not attract interest.

Multiple Respondents Named

The suit also names Jonathan Jackson, associated with the project through the Lordship Group, as having played a central role in marketing the development to diaspora investors.

Other respondents include Bank of Baroda, the Nairobi Lands Registrar and the Attorney-General.

KYH is seeking declarations that the termination of his agreement was unlawful and that his proprietary interests in the fully paid units remain valid. He also wants the court to restrain enforcement of forfeiture clauses and to order restitution of the sums paid.

Wider Market Concerns

In a dramatic turn, the investor has asked the court to allow other buyers in similar circumstances within the same project to join the proceedings — potentially opening the door to a broader legal battle over off-plan property sales practices.

The case adds to growing unease in Kenya’s off-plan property market, particularly where luxury developments heavily target diaspora investors with promises of prestige and profit.

The respondents had not filed their defence by the time of publication. The matter is awaiting directions at Milimani.

For now, the dispute casts a long shadow over 88 Nairobi, raising fresh questions about risk, transparency, and accountability in Kenya’s high-end real estate sector.

The post Sh225M Gone? American Investor Drags 88 Nairobi Tower to Court appeared first on Daily Trends.