Controversial businessman Elius Kemboi Korir was arraigned in court last month on two fresh charges of defrauding millions of shillings. Appearing before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego, Korir faced accusations in the first case of obtaining goods worth KSh 15,633,200 from Mallow Brand Limited under pretences.
The prosecution alleges that on December 10, 2022, at the Women and Youth Against AIDS and Poverty (WAYAAP) godown near Nairobi’s City Stadium, Korir, in collaboration with others not before the court, acquired 100 bags of 50kg brown sugar, 575 jerricans of 20-litre cooking oil, and 1,600 bags of 25kg rice (grade 1), falsely claiming he was able to pay for the goods.
In a separate case, Korir is accused of obtaining 300 bags of beans valued at KSh 4,590,000 from Koch Limited, claiming they were destined for WAYAAP, a public benefit organization that would pay for the goods. Korir, who has a history of fraud cases, denied the charges and was granted a combined cash bail of KSh 3 million for the two cases.
According to the prosecution, Korir, a key official at WAYAAP, has repeatedly used his position to defraud suppliers under the guise of procuring goods for charity. Investigators revealed that WAYAAP officials lured businesses with lucrative tender offers, only to vanish after receiving the goods.
In one instance, Korir and an accomplice defrauded three suppliers of goods worth KSh 32.8 million, allegedly for distribution to vulnerable communities. Instead, the goods were sold in local markets, leaving the suppliers uncompensated.
After months of evading law enforcement, Korir was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while attempting to flee the country. Authorities continue to unravel the extent of Korir’s fraudulent activities, warning businesses and donors to exercise caution when dealing with WAYAAP. The cases, now under judicial scrutiny, spotlight the misuse of charitable organizations for personal enrichment.
