EACC Arrests 9 Over Alleged KSh1.57B PROFIT Fraud

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested nine suspects over alleged embezzlement and fraudulent disbursement of KSh1.57 billion under the Financial Innovations and Technologies (PROFIT) Programme, which was funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The commission said its investigations established that KSh1.569 billion was fraudulently disbursed from the National Treasury Development Account to the PROFIT Programme and subsequently channelled to 23 private entities, comprising 15 businesses and eight companies.

According to the EACC, the funds were intended to facilitate small-scale farmers’ access to affordable financing but were allegedly paid out for goods and services that were never supplied or rendered.

The programme was implemented between the 2013/2014 and 2023/2024 financial years.

Investigators further established that programme officials allegedly used false and forged documents to account for funds and opened an unauthorised Central Bank of Kenya account in the name of the PROFIT Programme.

The EACC said KSh175 million was received through the account and was subsequently allegedly laundered and embezzled, with a substantial portion withdrawn in cash.

The commission also said it had established financial links between programme officials and some of the private entities that received the funds, raising concerns over possible violations of public financial management and accountability requirements.

Following the conclusion of its investigations, the EACC forwarded the inquiry file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of 20 public officials, companies and company directors.

The suspects face charges including unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime and uttering false documents, among other offences.

Among the nine suspects arrested are John Ngure Kabutha, the Programme Coordinator of the PROFIT Programme; Namwel Moturi Motanya, Head of the Accounting Unit at the National Treasury; and John Maina Muriithi, a Senior Accountant at the National Treasury.

Other suspects are Gladys Juliet Oroni alias Gladys Juliet, proprietor of Mawindo Enterprises, Brigs Agencies and Green Basil Agencies; Brian Kiprop Chepkar, proprietor of El Konyinta Technologies; Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat, director of 020 Investments Limited and Vidi Vici LTD; Josephat Kamau Kamothe, director of Blue Dart Agencies Limited; James Omwodo Ndai, proprietor of Ednas Agencies, Prozepp Technologies and Steeren Enterprises; and Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo, proprietor of Cadnic Investments.

The nine suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The EACC has also directed 12 additional suspects to present themselves at the EACC Integrity Centre in Nairobi or the nearest EACC office for processing.

Those directed to appear include PROFIT Programme accountant Billy Otieno Obongo alias Billy Obango; Ritasshell Enterprises proprietor Auma Rita Otieno; Kemula Agencies and Shilal Supplies proprietor Paul Mukasiali Shilaho; and Maxtor Supplies and Graybar Distributors proprietor Susan Wangari Gathiaka.

Others are Erick Otieno Achila, proprietor of Dangerina Enterprises; Miriam Roseline Obinda, director of Laudrups Kenya Ltd; Fredrick Nyadhe Obindah, director of Laudrups Kenya Ltd; Brown Mujengyi Agade, also a director of Laudrups Kenya Ltd; Hilda Ndinga Ngava, director of Kikwetu Holdings Limited; Charles Cheruiyot, director of Kaplan Logistics Limited; and Jacqueline Gathai Saisi, director of Jardos Agency Limited.

The commission said that in addition to the criminal proceedings, it would pursue the recovery and forfeiture of public funds and assets established to have been acquired through corrupt conduct or other unlawful means.

The EACC said the action was part of its mandate to protect public resources and ensure that individuals responsible for the loss or misappropriation of public funds are held accountable.