5 Prominent Kenyans Who Were Reportedly Duped Out of Millions

In a country where investment scams, fake tenders, and online cons have become increasingly sophisticated, not even high-ranking government officials and well-known personalities are immune.  

From senior civil servants to seasoned politicians, several prominent Kenyans have found themselves on the losing end of elaborate fraud schemes; some parting with millions before realising they’d been duped.

Here are five well-known Kenyans who reportedly fell victim to cons that cost them dearly:

Danson Mungatana

Between 2011 to 2013, Mungatana, then serving as Garsen MP and currently the Tana River Senator, allegedly lost Ksh76 million in a scam involving a traditional healer from Chad, Abdoulaye Tamba Kouro. 

In a Nairobi court, Mungatana claimed that Kouro convinced him to invest in a get-rich-quick scheme after reportedly doubling his two initial cash investments. Impressed by these returns and Kouro’s extravagant lifestyle, Mungatana believed he was dealing with a genuine and wealthy investor. 

Following the initial successful transactions, Kouro allegedly persuaded Mungatana to invest a much larger amount, Ksh76 million, promising substantial profits.

Trusting Kouro, Mungatana raised the funds by selling properties, shares, and taking loans, including assets shared with his late wife. Unlike before, Kouro reportedly disappeared after receiving the money, leaving Mungatana devastated and financially strained.

In October 2023, the court acquitted Kouro on charges related to defrauding Mungatana, citing insufficient evidence. However, he was found guilty in another case involving defrauding a different individual and possession of nearly one billion shillings in suspected counterfeit currency.

Margaret Mwachanya

In May 2025, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Margaret Mwachanya appeared in court to share how she allegedly lost over Ksh 6 million to a herbalist who promised to help her secure a lucrative job. 

The matter began in early 2024 with a small consultation fee of Ksh 3,000. Mwachanya testified that she was later asked to pay increasingly larger sums, including Ksh 380,000 for rituals involving a money-filled container thrown into a river.

She was told her inheritance was worth Ksh 18.3 million and later informed that her wealth had grown to Ksh 48 million, but to access it, she needed to make further payments amounting to millions more. 

Mwachanya also described sending money for rituals in Tanzania and other offerings, including a final bonfire ritual where she discarded a wooden box in the hope of receiving her fortune.

Having reportedly lost more than Ksh 6 million with no returns, she has taken the matter to court, with the case still ongoing as of June 2025.

Jane Waigwe

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria’s wife, Jane Waigwe, was allegedly conned out of Sh4.8 million by two suspects, Lucy Wangechi Thiong’o and Joseph Kamande Ngugi. 

The suspects are accused of fraudulently acquiring and selling a five-acre piece of land to Waigwe using forged documents. The fraud came to light when Waigwe began construction on the land, and the original owner filed a complaint. 

The suspects were charged with multiple charges, including forgery and presenting false documents, but pleaded not guilty and were released on bail.

Richard Limo

The 2001 Edmonton Canada 5,000 meters gold medalist was allegedly defrauded of his Sh50 million Eldoret plot in July 2012 in a scheme reportedly involving officials at the lands offices.  

Limo discovered that a new title deed had been issued for his prime property in the CBD and reported the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).  

The plot was reportedly put up for sale at Sh37 million, with proceeds planned to be shared by a cartel involved in the fraud. Limo expressed shock at how easily he was allegedly duped of the valuable asset he had worked hard to purchase.

Naomi Shaban and Amina Abdallah 

In 2012, former Minister Naomi Shaban and then-nominated Member of Parliament Amina Abdallah told a Nairobi court that they were allegedly defrauded of Ksh2 million by a businesswoman, Nancy Kioko, in a land deal involving a plot in Karen. 

The two leaders said they were enticed by the promise of acquiring the land at half its market value.

According to their testimony, they handed over the money in good faith but later discovered that the land documents were allegedly forged and the property was not legally available for sale.