Editor's Review

An advocate has been arrested in connection with a Ksh 182 million fake tender.

An advocate has been arrested in connection with a Ksh 182 million fake tender.

In an update on Wednesday, November 6, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Michel Otieno Owano was arrested following a complaint by an American national.

According to DCI, following investigations into the case, Owano of Owano Michael & Co. Advocates was arrested outside Milimani Law Courts after attending a criminal case in which he was the accused person.

"The facts preceeding his arrest date back to 2022 when the proprietor of the American-based company namely Underground Pipeline Rehabilitation Company was lured to jet in the country by one Alvin Alexander (the purported CEO of Orion AST Company), to allegedly meet some government officials and discuss the award of tenders by the Kenyan government," DCI said.

DCI said Owano held several meetings with the complainant who flew into the country and presented three fake tender documents including Tender No KCAA/032/2021-2022: Tender for Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Area Control Centre and Disaster Recovery System equipment.

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File image of Michael Otieno Owano

The investigating agency also noted that Owano presented two more fake tender documents; 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) and Tender No. MEWNR/T/18/2021-2022. Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).

"In the process, the complainant was hoodwinked to make payments to facilitate the tenders and work permits as part of the conditions to be met before commencing the projects. Payments amounting to USD 1,617,200 (equivalent to Ksh 182,743,600) were made as instructed by the purported government officials," DCI added.

According to DCI, Owano Michael & Company Advocates law firm received $90,000 for legal fees for contract 1&2 while Ollando Misare & Associates, LLP received $30,000 for legal fees, $262,000, and $285,000 for Bid Bond for contract 3.

On the other hand, Dennis Onyango & Company Associates received $200,200 for work permits for Orion employees while Ouko Angado Co. Advocates pocketed $750,000 for work permits for Orion employees.

"What followed the payments were months of being taken in circles, with the once hospitable and respectable members of the syndicate blocking contact and foiling scheduled meetings. Devastated, the complainant reported the fraud with the DCI and investigations were launched," DCI added.

DCI said Owano was arraigned in court on Wednesday and later released on cash bail to await approval of the charges leveled against him by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).