Tabitha Minee Mutua Charged Over Sh1.6 Million KeRRA Makueni Road Tender Fraud
A woman has been arraigned before a Nairobi court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of Sh1.6 million in a fraudulent road construction tender purportedly linked to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) Makueni Region.
Tabitha Minee Mutua was charged with obtaining Sh1,674,000 from complainant Moses Kiplagat Toroitich, claiming she was in a position to incorporate him into a KeRRA-awarded road construction project allegedly undertaken by Thomas Construction Limited—a claim the prosecution says was false.
According to court documents, Mutua allegedly committed the offense on diverse dates between 15th and 18th November 2024 within the Nairobi Central Business District, with the intention of defrauding the complainant.
False Promise of Road Construction Contract
The prosecution told the court that Mutua allegedly presented herself as someone capable of securing Toroitich a share in a lucrative KeRRA road project, convincing him to release funds purportedly needed for documentation and contract processing.
However, investigators established that there was no such arrangement, and the accused had no authority or connection to facilitate the alleged incorporation into any KeRRA project.
Conspiracy to Defraud Charge Added
Beyond the main charge of obtaining money by false pretenses, Mutua faces an additional count of conspiracy to defraud, with prosecutors stating that she acted together with others who are not before the court.
The conspiracy element suggests a wider fraudulent scheme, potentially implicating other individuals who may have collaborated in crafting the fake tender narrative.
Plea, Bond Terms, and Court Outcome
When presented before Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego, Mutua denied all charges.
The magistrate granted her a Sh1 million bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000, allowing her to remain free as the case progresses. The court also directed both parties to comply with pretrial procedures ahead of mention and hearing dates to be set.
Rising Cases of Tender Fraud in Kenya
The case contributes to a growing trend of tender-related fraud, where unsuspecting individuals are duped using forged or exaggerated claims of connections within government agencies and public institutions.
Authorities continue to urge the public to verify the authenticity of tenders through official government portals and to be cautious of individuals promising shortcuts into procurement deals.