He only owned a run-down posho mill but became a multi-millionnaire overnight with several companies and assets acquired within the last one year
Investigations have revealed the identity of a 35 year-old shadowy businessman who became an overnight millionaire who is believed to have been used to invest looted funds in an elaborate scheme by suspects in the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal.
The Standard reports that investigators have narrowed their search to one shadowy businessman identified as Ken who is believed to have been used to invest looted funds.
From owning a run-down posho mill to an overnight multi-millionnaire
The story of 35 year old Ken mirrors that of Josephine Kabura the hair dresser and the Ngirita family of the NYS scandals all of whom became overnight millionaires after alleged involvement in corrupt dealings.
A visit by investigators to his rural home in Murang’a home established that all he owns is a run-down posho mill. However in the city, several companies and assets all reportedly acquired within the last one year are registered under his name with those who know him stating that he is a businessman whose connections run deep within the government.
Like Kabura and Ngiritas, Ken’s background does not match his investment portfolio and appears to have stumbled on wealth 12 months ago when the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal came to light, making him an instant billionaire.
The publication quoted an officer at DCI headquarters familiar with the investigations confirming that “We (DCI) want the man arrested so that he can tell us how he acquired the properties”.
Massive wealth
The investment portfolios believed to be proceeds of the corruption scandal include prime parcels of land and properties in Karen, Runda and Gigiri that are among assets that the government has mapped out for recovery if it succeeds in nailing the suspects.
Also in the radar of state agencies are commercial buildings located in Machakos County’s Mlolongo area and Narok, fat bank accounts and high end vehicles.
Authorities believe that Ken was either a beneficiary of the dam’s sudden rain of cash or was simply a proxy for key government officials implicated in the scandal and was used as a conduit to siphon and invest the money.
The multi-facetted war against graft spearheaded by DPP Noorin Haji and DCI George Kinoti will see authorities stop at nothing to recover stolen public funds by seizing assets and property that may have been acquired using proceeds from the dam cash.
“We must get hold of more than Sh21 billion that has already been paid out, trace where and whom every shilling has been paid to so as to trace and establish any intended corrupt payments,” DPP Haji said in a statement in March.
