Fake NIS Officer Busted in Elaborate Ksh 15M School Project Scam

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested a suspect who was accused of pretending to be an officer of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in an elaborate fraud case concerning a non-existent public project worth Ksh 15 million.

The authorities recognized the suspect as Joel Wanyama Simiyu, who pretended to be an official of the NIS and worked in the National Government Constituency Development Fund Board.

The authorities claimed that he pretended to be an NIS senior officer in order to persuade a construction company to implement an imaginary project in Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County in Vihiga County.

The EACC claimed that the suspect went to great lengths to maintain his lie by pretending to hand over the non-existent project to the construction company.

“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested an impersonator posing as a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer for orchestrating a Ksh 15 million fraudulent tender scheme.”

Elaborate Scheme Involving Fake Contracts

Further investigations showed that the suspect allegedly introduced an individual who pretended to be a project engineer to influence unauthorized variations in the alleged construction project.

This, authorities say, was to give credence to the fake project and coerce the contractor to continue with the project.

“Investigations reveal that the suspect, Mr. Joel Wanyama Simiyu, falsely presented himself to a construction firm as a senior NIS officer attached to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board and used this disguise to trick a construction firm into undertaking a non-existent project at Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County.”

The contractor, therefore, proceeded to undertake the alleged project and paid about Ksh 1.4 million to the suspect in what is referred to as facilitation fees.

“To legitimize the scheme, the suspect allegedly staged a fake project handover complete with fake contracts, and introduced an accomplice posing as an engineer to influence unauthorised project variations.”

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Fraud Uncovered After Payment Inquiry

The scheme began to unravel when the construction firm sought payment from the Hamisi NG-CDF office, only to discover that no such project had ever been approved or budgeted for.

“The fraud was uncovered when the firm sought payment from Hamisi NG-CDF, only to establish that no such project had been approved.”

Despite the exposure, the suspect allegedly attempted to continue the scam by demanding an additional Ksh 20,000, claiming he could facilitate payment processing.

“The suspect later resurfaced and demanded an additional Ksh 20,000 bribe, claiming he would facilitate payment processing.”

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Arrest and Ongoing Investigations

EACC officers apprehended the suspect while he was receiving the bribe, effectively bringing the fraudulent operation to a halt.

He was subsequently detained at Kisumu Central Police Station before being released on a Ksh 20,000 cash bail as investigations continue.

“EACC officers apprehended the suspect while receiving the bribe. He was booked at Kisumu Central Police Station and released on Ksh 20,000 cash bail pending further investigations.”

The anti-corruption agency confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify any accomplices linked to the scheme and bring them to justice.

“Efforts are ongoing to identify and take action against any accomplices involved.”

EACC has since issued a warning to contractors and members of the public, urging them to verify procurement processes through official government channels to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

“EACC urges all stakeholders to remain vigilant and verify procurement processes through official government channels.”

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