Faith Mwikali Ndiwa, a businesswoman, finds herself in legal trouble after being accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme, allegedly involving Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, to dupe a Nigerian investor of Ksh 25 million.
Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi on Monday, May 27, 2024, Ndiwa faced charges brought forth by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). The prosecution asserted that through her companies Ashley Dylan Limited and Faizel Limited, Ndiwa misled Jude Olabayo Veracruz, a Nigerian bank CEO, into investing Ksh 25 million in a purported tender to supply Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to KEMSA.
Allegations suggest that Ndiwa fabricated a framework contract and an amendment to the agreement to bolster her deception. She purportedly convinced the Nigerian national that the LLINs supply contract was for Mr. Odinga’s son-in-law, who purportedly faced financial constraints and sought financing to fulfill the contract.
Between June and December 2022, Ndiwa is accused of fraudulently obtaining funds from Olabayo in Nairobi County. Additionally, she faces charges of altering the contract between her company and Kemsa, misrepresenting it as a genuine agreement for LLINs supply.
Despite denying all eight counts of forgery, falsifying contract documents, and obtaining money, Ndiwa’s release on bond was opposed by the prosecution. They requested time to file an affidavit detailing reasons for bail denial.
Ndiwa’s defense argued for her release, citing constitutional rights and asserting she was not a flight risk. However, Magistrate Shitubi ruled in favor of the prosecution, ordering Ndiwa’s detention in Lang’ata Prison until a bail hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Ndiwa’s arrest stemmed from an incident in May 2022 when she approached the CEO of Guarantee Trust Bank, claiming to seek financial advice with an alleged sum of Ksh 70 million in her account. Subsequent encounters revealed her soliciting funds for various reasons, including medical bills and a purported business venture tied to Odinga’s family.
Further investigations unveiled Ndiwa’s involvement in a separate case, where she presented herself as a physician for the Kenyan First Lady.
