The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has preferred charges against a Kenyan woman accused of using the name of Azimio leader Raila Odinga to defraud Ksh25 million from a Nigerian investor.
According to court documents obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the woman initially approached the Nigerian investor, who works in the financial services industry, in May 2022, seeking advice on managing Ksh70 million.
Following this conversation, she later requested funds for a new project, claiming she worked for Mr. Odinga’s kin whose company had secured a contract to supply mosquito nets.
The woman convinced the investor that he would earn a substantial profit from the project.
After much deliberation, the investor agreed to provide Ksh25 million, which was transferred to her on various dates between June and December 2022. However, after receiving the funds, the woman switched off her phone and cut off all communication.
Alarmed by the situation, the investor reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Following a thorough investigation, the DCI identified and arrested the suspect on May 18, 2024.
Police investigations revealed that the alleged tender did not exist and that the woman had used the funds to purchase a new Range Rover. Additionally, it was discovered that she had presented a fake job card to the DCI, pretending to be a physician for the First Lady.
The suspect now faces eight counts, including forgery, falsifying contract documents, and obtaining money through false pretenses. The ODPP has stressed the importance of due diligence and warned the public against falling victim to similar schemes.
The case highlights the need for investors to thoroughly verify the authenticity of business proposals and the credentials of individuals involved to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.
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