Court allows DCI to raid offices of Kasipul MP aspirant, City Lawyer in Sh500m US fraud case

A Nairobi court has allowed DCI detectives to probe Kasipul MP aspirant Robert Riaga, city lawyer Stephen Juma Ndeda and 18 others over an alleged Sh500 million international fraud scheme.

The Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court granted a plea by DCI detectives attached to the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit for search warrants targeting the politician and 19 suspects over allegations that they defrauded a US citizen millions of shillings in an agriculture projects deal in Africa.

The orders, sought by investigators, allow them to enter and search multiple premises, including offices at Flamingo Towers (Upper Hill), Silver Stone Building (Kilimani), Uhuru Highway Mall (Nairobi West) and the PWC Building (Westlands), all linked to the suspects.

“By this warrant, the court authorises the investigating officer, a police officer, to enter and search the respondents’ premises and to open, search, access, seize and carry away the respondents’ documents and electronic devices, including servers, computer systems, mobile phones and other related articles or items, for the purposes of investigating offences including engaging in organised crime, acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of crime, obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and other related offences,” the order reads in part.

“That the electronic gadgets seized be subjected to forensic examination,” the court further directed.

According to the application filed in court by DCI through Cpl Brian Musau, the officers sought authorisation to seize documents, electronic storage devices, computers, mobile phones, servers and any other relevant materials for forensic examination.

The investigating officer told the court that he is probing 20 suspects for several offences. These include engaging in organised criminal activities, acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of crime, conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretence, computer fraud and money laundering, among other offences, as captured under various provisions of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act, the Penal Code, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Among those being investigated alongside politician Riaga and advocate Ndeda are Michael Omondi Okongo, David Onyango Ochanda, Luke Onyango, Abdifatah Adan Kalicha, Abel Onyango Noah, Abdullahi Bare, Joseph Verde, Oloo Collins Juma, Kenedy Oyoo Mboya, Susan Kilonzo Wambua, Stephen Roy Onyango, Judith Akinyi Riaga and Collins Juma Aloo.

The companies under scrutiny include Toureg Insurance Agency, Albeirut Wael Enterprises, Urufle Trading Company Ltd, Fatimark Energy Ltd and Affluent Wealth Managers.

In his affidavit, Musau told the court that the inquiry stems from a complaint filed by Charles Blake Stringer, a US citizen and director of Nutra-Acres LLC in Texas.

“We received a report on February 14, 2025 from one Mr Charles Blake Stringer, who is a US citizen and a director at Nutra-Acres LLC, a company registered in Texas, USA, that he wanted to finance farming projects he was undertaking in Africa,” Musau stated.

He said that in June 2024, Stringer was referred by a contact in the USA to Affluent Wealth Management, a company registered in Kenya. He allegedly held a Zoom meeting with its representatives, during which he provided information needed to apply for a loan and was informed via WhatsApp that they would fund his operations.

He was then linked to Mr Joseph Verde, a US citizen who claimed to be working with Affluent Wealth Managers and would be his financier for a loan amounting to Sh500 million.

The court heard that the complainant later travelled to Nairobi and met representatives of the Affluent group, allegedly led by “Robe Money Bior alias Steve Tinega,” Abel Onyango, Michael Okongo, Benson and Joseph Verde.

After initial negotiations, including a Zoom meeting, Stringer travelled to Nairobi on June 9, 2024, where he allegedly met representatives of the company.

Investigators say Stringer was informed that, to secure the loan, he needed to take out a life insurance policy through Toureg Insurance Agency.

He was introduced to Collins Juma, who allegedly posed as the agency’s CEO and claimed to represent a Swedish underwriter known as “Continental Insurance.”

“Mr Verde introduced the complainant to one Collins Juma, who alleged to be the CEO of Toureg Insurance Company. He was issued with a proposal and informed that the underwriter was a reputable company in Sweden called Continental Insurance, then issued with an invoice and instructed to make payments for the policy,” the court papers read in part.

Stringer allegedly proceeded to make multiple payments between June 2024 and January 2025 totalling USD 762,275 to various accounts linked to the suspects and associated companies.

Police say bank records provided to the court show the funds were rapidly withdrawn or transferred through RTGS to entities including Urufle Trading Company and Fatimark Energy Ltd, as well as through cash withdrawals by several of the listed individuals.

He also allegedly paid USD 56,400 to Ndeda & Company Advocates for legal fees and sent USD 5,000 to Abel Onyango, who reportedly claimed the money would be used to register a new entity, Nutra Acres Africa Ltd.

Despite months of engagement, the complainant told investigators he never received the purported loan.

Cpl Musau told the court that preliminary findings suggest key digital and physical evidence is held within the targeted premises.

“In order to facilitate continued investigations, it is necessary for this Honourable Court to issue a search warrant to enable a search to be conducted at the premises inhabited and/or controlled by the respondents, to open, search, have access, seize, remove and carry away the respondents’ documents and electronic storage devices,” the officer urged the court.

Investigators believe the materials are crucial to establishing whether the group engaged in the various criminal offences to be framed against them.

The alleged offences fall under the Penal Code, the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act, the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

Some of the suspects, including lawyer Ndeda, have since been charged with five offences relating to the Sh500 million fraud at the Kahawa Law Courts.

According to the charge sheet, Ndeda faces counts of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining USD 56,400 by false pretences through his law firm, engaging in criminal activities, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime.