Rogue Advocate Arrested in Ksh 182 Million Fake Tender Scam
A prominent Nairobi-based advocate, Michael Otieno Owano, was arrested yesterday in connection with a fraudulent tender scam that swindled an American national and his companies of over Ksh 182 million. The arrest took place within the precincts of Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi, following a complaint made by the victim, who lost substantial sums after being lured into a fake tender scheme involving several law firms.
Owano, who is listed as the face of *Owano Michael & Co. Advocates*, was taken into custody after attending a session for another criminal case. He was accused in the fake tender case alongside other accomplices. Investigations into the scam date back to 2022, when the complainant, the proprietor of Underground Pipeline Rehabilitation Company, was contacted by one Alvin Alexander, the supposed CEO of Orion AST Company. Alexander convinced the American business owner to fly to Kenya under the pretense of securing government tenders.
During the visit, the complainant met with individuals posing as government officials, who presented three fake tenders for major government projects, including the supply and installation of control systems, information management systems, and automatic weather stations. The documents provided were fraudulent, but the victim, believing them to be legitimate, was instructed to make substantial payments to facilitate the tenders and work permits for foreign employees.
A total of USD 1,617,200 (equivalent to Ksh 182,743,600) was transferred to several escrow accounts managed by four law firms, including Owano’s firm, *Owano Michael & Co. Advocates*, which received USD 90,000 for legal fees related to two contracts. The other law firms involved were Ollando Misare & Associates, Dennis Onyango & Company Associates, and Ouko Angado Co. Advocates, with payments made for work permits and bid bonds.
However, after the payments were made, the complainant’s attempts to follow up were met with delays, evasions, and cancelled meetings. Ultimately, the victim grew suspicious and reported the fraud to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), prompting an investigation into the elaborate scam.
Owano, who is no stranger to legal controversies, was taken into custody by detectives from the Operations Support Unit. He was processed for arraignment, but later released on cash bail pending the approval of charges by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement authorities are pursuing other members of the syndicate.
The arrest of Owano highlights the growing concern over fraudulent activities within Kenya’s legal and business sectors, with authorities vowing to clamp down on individuals involved in such criminal enterprises.
Post Author
