By TSJ Reporter 2
Faith Mwikali Ndiwa, a businesswoman from Kenya, has been charged with defrauding a Nigerian investor of N265 million by falsely using the name of opposition leader Raila Odinga to scam him. Ndiwa appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi on May 27, where the prosecution presented eight counts of fraud, forgery, and falsifying contract documents.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ndiwa, through her companies Ashley Dylan Limited and Faizel Limited, deceived Nigerian national Jude Olabayo Veracruz, a CEO of a bank, into investing N265 million in a supposed tender to supply Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
The accused allegedly forged a framework contract and made false amendments to bolster her claims. She also misled Olabayo by asserting that the contract was linked to Raila Odinga’s son-in-law, who, she claimed, had run out of funds to complete the deal and sought financial support to fulfill it. Ndiwa promised Olabayo a substantial profit after the N265 million investment.
Between June and December 2022, Ndiwa is accused of fraudulently obtaining the money under false pretenses. In addition to these charges, she is facing a further accusation of altering the contract between her companies and KEMSA, presenting it as a legitimate agreement for the insecticidal net supply.
Ndiwa denied all charges, including forgery, falsifying documents, and obtaining money under false pretenses. Her defense argued for her release on bail, citing her constitutional rights and claiming she was not a flight risk. However, the prosecution opposed her release, asking for time to file an affidavit justifying the denial of bail.
Magistrate Shitubi ruled in favor of the prosecution, ordering Ndiwa to be detained in Lang’ata Prison until her bail hearing on May 28.
The case traces its origins back to May 2022 when Ndiwa reportedly visited Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) and met with Olabayo, the Nigerian investor. During this meeting, she claimed to have around Ksh. 70 million in her bank account and sought financial advice. She later returned with a new request for money, claiming she needed it to cover her mother’s medical expenses.
As the story unfolded, Ndiwa convinced Olabayo to grant her a loan for Ksh. 8 million after telling him she had bought a house in Karen. A month later, she allegedly reached out again, claiming she was representing Odinga’s son-in-law in securing a Ksh. 98 million tender to supply LLINs to KEMSA.
This is not the first time Ndiwa has been linked to fraudulent activity. In a separate incident, she presented herself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nairobi, showing a job card indicating that she worked as a physician for the Kenyan First Lady.
Ndiwa now faces serious charges as the investigation into her fraudulent activities continues, with prosecutors seeking justice for the Nigerian investor and other potential victims.