Police in Nairobi are investigating a case where Former Higher Education Principal Secretary Simon Nabukwesi is said to have lost at least Sh250 million in a get-rich-quick scheme.
The case which was initially reported at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters, has been referred to the Nairobi Area DCI office for further investigations before a decision is made.
The former PS is said to have lost the money in tranches to a gang of fraudsters who had promised him that his money would be doubled after some time.
Police sources say the former PS is said to have given out the money in tranches for a few months before discovering that he had been duped.
Some of the suspects being investigated for duping the former PS include notorious fraudster Joseph Lendrix Waswa who last year wanted to vie for the Bungoma Senatorial seat but dropped out at the last minute.
A senior state official is also being investigated.
Waswa, who poses as a businessman is not new to controversy. He he a well connected guy and enjoys a circle of prominent people in the society among them, Members of Parliament.
In 2014 and 2015, Waswa was arrested for allegedly killing Mitch Kibiti, son to (former) Bungoma County Education Chief Officer David Kibiti, after a disagreement at his Etonia Club in Kimilili. He was arrested in Kisumu while on the run, trying to board a plane to Nairobi
In 2015, Waswa caused drama at Bungoma Law courts after showing up in court accompanied by 10 “body guards”. The incident forced officers from the Flying Squad to intervene arresting all the 10 body guards who were later released.
In 2016, Waswa was in the news after he offered a free air ticket to Saleh Wanjala, aka Bungoma’s ‘James Bond’, who hit the headlines after hanging on a helicopter in Bungoma carrying the body of Jacob Juma.
In December 2021, Waswa caused a stir in a remote village (Nzatani village) in Mwingi after he landed with four helicopters to pay dowry for his bride Moreen Tabitha.
During the occasion, he was in the company of MPs Charles Nguna (Mwingi West), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Caleb Amisi (Saboti) and Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills).
All hotels and guest rooms in Kitui town were fully occupied on the day of the event. The budget for the event was above Sh5 million, with their wedding rings retailing at Sh1.6 million.