ROGUE ADVOCATE INVOLVED IN A KSH 182M FAKE TENDER CASE ARRESTED

Nairobi, Kenya — The Operations Support Unit detectives have apprehended a key suspect in a high-profile fraud case involving a fake tender scheme that defrauded an American company of over Ksh 182 million. The suspect, Michael Otieno Owano, an advocate and the supposed head of Owano Michael & Co. Advocates, was arrested within the Milimani Law Courts precincts after attending a court session for another criminal case (CR 145/13/2024), where he is also the accused.

The arrest follows a complaint filed by the proprietor of the Underground Pipeline Rehabilitation Company, an American-based firm, who reported losing a substantial sum to a ring of scammers operating in Nairobi. The complainant was lured into the country in 2022 by Alvin Alexander, purportedly the CEO of Orion AST Company, under the guise of securing government tenders.

The victim was misled into believing that he would meet government officials to discuss tender awards. During his visit, he was presented with three fake tender documents:

1. Tender No KCAA/032/2021-2022: Supply, Installation, and Commissioning of Area Control Centre and Disaster Recovery System equipment.
2. Tender No ICTA/RFP/03/2022-2022: Provision of Consultancy Services for the Process of Design, Implementing, and Maintenance of an Information Management System (ISMS).
3. Tender No MEWNR/T/18/2021-2022: Supply, Delivery, Installation, and Commissioning of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).

To facilitate these bogus tenders, the complainant was deceived into making payments amounting to USD 1,617,200 (equivalent to Ksh 182,743,600). The funds were transferred to four different escrow accounts operated by various law firms:

1. Owano Michael & Company Advocates: $90,000 for legal fees for contracts 1 & 2.
2. Ollando Misare & Associates, LLP: $30,000 for legal fees, $262,000, and $285,000 for a bid bond for contract 3.
3. Dennis Onyango & Company Associates: $200,200 for work permits for Orion employees.
4. Ouko Angado Co. Advocates: $750,000 for work permits for Orion employees.

After the payments were made, the complainant was subjected to months of evasive tactics by the suspects, who eventually cut off contact and thwarted any attempts to meet. Realizing he had been defrauded, the victim reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), prompting an investigation.

Michael Otieno Owano, who has a history of involvement in similar scams, was detained and processed for arraignment. He was subsequently released on cash bail, pending the approval of charges by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). Efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

DCI Kenya has urged anyone with additional information regarding the case or other potential victims to come forward.

For more details, follow updates from DCI Kenya.