Seven held in Sh60million fake ambulance tender fraud linked to Harambee House

The DCI further told the court that several other individuals, possibly including persons with privileged access to Harambee House are yet to be identified and apprehended

Seven suspects have been detained as investigators probe an alleged Sh60.8 million fake ambulance tender scam that was reportedly orchestrated through meetings held inside Harambee House, the government complex that hosts President William Ruto’s office.

The suspects identified as Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Evans Simotwo, Geoffrey Were Odondi, Allan Mutahi Kariuki, Purity Njeri Njamiu, Muniaro Jared Masinde and Kororia Simatwa were arrested on March 10, 2026 during a sting operation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operation Support Unit.

The seven are implicated in an alleged elaborate scheme in which a foreign national was swindled out of USD 470,750 (Sh60,867,975) through a fictitious government tender to supply 500 ambulances.

They were later arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani Law Courts where detectives sought orders to detain them for 14 days at Capitol Hill Police Station to allow completion of investigations into the alleged fraud.

They were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. 1184 of 2026, where the DCI detectives sought orders to detain them for 14 days more days at Capitol Hill Police Station to allow investigators to complete their probe.

According to court documents filed by investigators, the seven suspects are being probed for conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences and offences related to the acquisition, use and possession of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The DCI told the court that the complainant, a foreign national whose identity was withheld, was allegedly deceived into believing he would secure a lucrative government tender to supply 500 ambulances to the Government of Kenya.

Investigators say the suspects posed as senior government officials capable of arranging official meetings and executing contracts on behalf of the State.

Through those representations, the victim was allegedly persuaded to transfer USD 470,750 (approximately Sh60,867,975) to individuals linked to the scheme.

Court filings indicate that some of the meetings between the suspects and the complainant were held inside Harambee House, a gazetted protected government installation that houses key government offices including the Ministry of Interior and the Office of the President.

Detectives told the court that the suspects were arrested during one such meeting at the facility, raising serious concerns about how individuals allegedly engaged in criminal activities were able to access and conduct meetings inside one of the country’s most secure government buildings.

Investigators believe the scheme may have international links.

The complainant was reportedly first contacted by a person claiming to be a Ugandan national using a Uganda-registered phone number before being connected to the Kenyan suspects.

The DCI further told the court that several other individuals, possibly including persons with privileged access to Harambee House are yet to be identified and apprehended.

Police argued that the suspects should remain in custody to prevent them from absconding, interfering with witnesses or obstructing ongoing investigations, which include financial probes across multiple banks to trace the alleged proceeds of crime.

The court ordered the suspects to remain in custody as it prepares to rule on the DCI’s request for a 14-day detention period.