7 charged with fraud in fake govt ambulance contract
By Zipporah Ngwatu, March 17, 2026Seven people have been charged at the Milimani Law Courts with conspiracy to defraud a foreign businessman by falsely pretending they are in a position to assist him in securing a Kenyan government contract to supply ambulances.
Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Evans Simotwo, Geofrey Were Odondi, Allan Mutahi Kariuki, Purity Njeri, Muniaro Jared Masinde and Kororia Simatwa are accused of obtaining USD 470,750, approximately Ksh 61.8 million, from the businessman.
According to the charge sheet, the seven, while at Nairobi City County, jointly with others not before the court, obtained the money between January 10, 2026, and February 23, 2026, from Talal Yousef Zaitoun for the delivery of 500 high-roof diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances.
The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) charged Were Odondi jointly with another not before the court with obtaining money from the businessman through Lianyungang Chanta International Wood Company Limited by promising a false contract.
“Were Odondi, between January 10, 2026, and February 30, 2026, at Nairobi City County, jointly with another not before the court, to obtain from Talal Yousef Zaitoun through Lianyungang Chanta International Wood Company Limited a sum of USD 470,750 by falsely pretending that you were in a position to assist him in securing a Kenyan government contract for the supply and delivery of 500 high-roof diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances, a fact you knew to be false,” part of the charge sheet reads.
Odondi has also been charged with acquisition of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 4(a) as read with Section 16(1) of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 9 of 2009.
The prosecution states that between January 30, 2026, and February 25, 2026, he acquired a sum of USD 450,750 through an Equity bank account in the name of Damira Multiactivities whilst at the time he knew that the said money was part of proceeds of crime.
In another count, Musyoki has been charged with forgery; that on January 30, 2026, at an unknown place, with intent to defraud, he forged a document, namely a contract agreement between the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and Jokara AB for the supply of 500 right-hand drive, roof-diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances, a contract which is undated by purporting it to be a genuine contract issued by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Musyoki has also been charged for forging a document, namely the letter of notification of award reference MINA/KKR/AMB/1/26 for the supply and delivery of 500 high-roof diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances during the financial years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 by purporting it to be a genuine letter of award issued by the ministry of interior and national administration.
Appearing before Milimani Resident Principal Magistrate Theresa Nyangena on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the seven denied all the charges lodged against them by the state, and a plea of not guilty was entered.
The prosecution told the court that it was not opposing the accused persons being released on bail and bond terms.
Meanwhile, the defence lawyers, led by Duncan Okatch, urged the court to free their clients on a reasonable bail and bond, citing that they are not a flight risk and will adhere to the court’s directions.
The court freed the seven on a bond of Ksh5 million each with an alternative of a cash bail of Ksh 300,000 with three contact persons each.
Magistrate Nyangena directed all the accused persons to deposit their passports in court.
The matter will come up on April 1, 2026, for pre-trial.