The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has apprehended a suspect accused of impersonating a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer in a KSh15 million tender fraud scheme.
According to the Commission, the suspect, identified as Mr. Joel Wanyama Simiyu, and masquerading as a Senior NIS officer attached to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board, lured a contractor into undertaking a fake project at Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County.
“Investigations reveal that the suspect, Mr. Joel Wanyama Simiyu, falsely presented himself as a senior NIS officer attached to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board and used this guise to deceive a construction firm into undertaking a non-existent project at Kaptis Primary Special School in Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County,” EACC said in a statement on Thursday.
EACC stated that the suspect allegedly attempted to validate the scheme through a staged project handover, supported by forged documents and an accomplice posing as an engineer to drive unauthorized variations.
“The contractor was misled into proceeding with construction and paid approximately Kes1.4 million in purported facilitation fees,” EACC said.
The construction firm realized it had been duped after seeking payment from Hamisi NG-CDF, only to find that the project did not exist. Subsequently, the suspect resurfaced, demanding a further KSh20,000 bribe, alleging he could expedite the payment.
EACC officers later moved to arrest the suspect while receiving the bribe, and booked him at Kisumu Central Police Station. He was then released on Ksh20,000 cash bail pending further investigations.
The Commission stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and take action against any accomplices involved. It also urged stakeholders to remain vigilant and verify procurement processes through official government channels.
