A man accused of posing as a senior officer from the National Intelligence Service has been arrested after investigators uncovered a fraud scheme that targeted a construction firm and led to the loss of more than Sh1.4 million through a fake government project linked to a tender valued at Sh15 million.
The suspect, identified as Joel Wanyama Simiyu, is alleged to have misled the firm by presenting himself as an official attached to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board, convincing the company that it had been awarded a legitimate government contract.
According to investigators from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the suspect directed the contractor to undertake construction works at Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County in Vihiga County, despite no such project having been approved or commissioned.
To strengthen the appearance of authenticity, the suspect allegedly organized a staged project handover event, during which forged contract documents were presented. He also introduced an accomplice who posed as an engineer and is said to have influenced unauthorized changes to the supposed project, further convincing the contractor that the assignment was genuine.
Investigators indicate that the construction firm proceeded with the work under the belief that the project had official backing. During this period, the firm is reported to have made payments amounting to about Sh1.4 million, described as facilitation fees tied to the supposed contract.
The fraud only came to light when the contractor attempted to follow up on payment through the Hamisi NG-CDF office, where officials confirmed that no such project had been approved, exposing the entire operation as a scam.
Authorities say the suspect later reappeared and demanded an additional Sh20,000, claiming the money would “facilitate payment processing.” This raised suspicion and led to a sting operation by EACC officers.
He was arrested while allegedly receiving the money and taken into custody at Kisumu Central Police Station. He was later released on a cash bail of Sh20,000 while investigations continue.
The commission has indicated that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend any accomplices linked to the scheme, including the individual who allegedly posed as an engineer during the staged project activities.
In its statement, the agency warned stakeholders in public procurement to remain cautious and verify all project details through official channels before committing resources.
“EACC urges all stakeholders to remain vigilant and verify procurement processes through official government channels,” the commission said.
The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by contractors in dealings involving public projects, where fraudsters exploit the credibility of government institutions to mislead unsuspecting firms into entering bogus agreements.
Investigators note that in this case, the suspect relied on impersonation and falsified documentation to build trust, allowing the scheme to progress to a stage where substantial financial losses had already occurred before detection.
The EACC has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing corruption and fraud cases, especially those involving impersonation and abuse of public office, and has signaled that more arrests may follow as the investigation unfolds.
Authorities have also urged contractors to conduct due diligence, including confirming approvals and documentation directly with relevant government offices, to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.
