Three suspected fraudsters have been arraigned before the Kilifi Chief Magistrate’s Court over an alleged multi-million-shilling procurement scam that targeted suppliers in Kilifi and Laikipia counties.
Among the accused are Naftali Kimani Chege who is also known as Ignatius Njenga, Kenneth Thuo Karanja aliases Bosco Mbugua Ng’ang’a and Michael Munene. They’ve been accused of playing the role of officers of the Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM) and thereby deceiving the suppliers by giving away the goods but not paying for them.
Preliminary findings reveal that the three men had a hand in robbing six suppliers in Kilifi of goods worth approximately Sh14, 952, 990. These included cooking oil rice milk, soap (solid), and sanitary towels, among other items, from fabricated procurement agreements.
The investigation gained momentum after detectives conducted coordinated raids at offices allegedly rented by the suspects in the Rojo area of Kilifi County and in Nanyuki Town, Laikipia County.
During the raid, the police officers seized lots of materials, like receipts invoices procurement documents, several SIM cards, supplier registration forms and banner materials displaying the name Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM). These items are now in police custody to be used as evidence in the investigation process.
Following arrest in Nanyuki Town, the men were transferred to DCI Kilifi for further processing before arraigned in court. The court granted them detectives 21 days to detain the suspects as investigations continue.
Detectives are also pursuing additional leads to recover the allegedly fraudulently obtained goods and identify other individuals suspected of participating in the scheme.
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