DCI Seeks to Detain Michael Musyoki Ngumbi & 6 Others Over Fake Ambulance Tender

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has moved to court seeking orders to detain seven suspects for 14 days over an alleged multi-million shilling fraud targeting a foreign investor through a fake government ambulance supply tender involving Michael Musyoki Ngumbi.

In an application filed before the court, investigators are seeking custodial orders to detain Michael Musyoki Ngumbi, Evans Simotwo, Geoffrey Were Odondi, Allan Mutahi Kariuki, Purity Njeri Njamiu, Muniaro Jared Masinde, and Kororia Simatwa at Capitol Hill Police Station to allow completion of investigations involving Michael Musyoki Ngumbi.

According to the police, the seven suspects are being probed for conspiracy to defraud contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, as well as acquisition, use, and possession of proceeds of crime contrary to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).

Through a miscellaneous application in court, the DCI Operation Support Unit officers Ssgt Odhiambo, Sgt Itegi, CI Muthui, IP Njoroge, and IP Karanja told the court that the complainant, a foreign national, was allegedly deceived into believing that he would secure a lucrative tender from the government of Kenya to supply 500 ambulances.

Michael Musyoki Ngumbi and 6 others in the Alleged Fraud

On the strength of that representation, the complainant is said to have transferred USD 470,750 (approximately Sh 60,867,975) to individuals linked to the alleged scheme.

Court documents indicate that some of the suspects allegedly presented themselves to the complainant as senior government officials capable of convening official meetings and entering into contractual agreements on behalf of the government with foreign investors.

Investigators further claim that the suspects invited the complainant to meetings at Harambee House, a protected government installation that hosts offices, including that of the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and the Office of the President.

The suspects were arrested on March 10, 2026, at Harambee House following one such meeting.

The DCI now says it must establish how individuals allegedly conducting criminal activities were able to convene meetings at the high-security government facility and whether other persons, including government officials, may have been involved.

The agency told the court that the investigations are complex and incomplete, particularly because the matter also involves financial investigations across multiple financial institutions to trace the alleged proceeds of crime.

The court further heard that the suspects should remain in custody to prevent them from absconding, interfering with witnesses, or obstructing investigations.

The police also claim the scheme may involve an international criminal network, noting that the complainant was initially contacted by an individual posing as a Ugandan national using a Ugandan-registered phone number before being linked to some of the suspects.

Upon completion of investigations, the DCI says the file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and directions on whether charges will be preferred.

The court is expected to rule on the detention application on 12th March 2026.