By The Weekly Vision Reporter
Fresh scrutiny has emerged over the newly elected Narok Town MCA, Douglas Twala Masikonde, after it surfaced that he was previously charged in court for allegedly masterminding a sophisticated fraud scheme that swindled a foreign investor out of Sh36 million in 2021.
Masikonde, who won the 27 November by-election on former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua-led Democracy for Citizens Party ( DCP)ticket, is accused of having formed a cartel that duped Bercons and Partners Ltd into paying millions to Leera Ltd for what was presented as Pramitol 25E herbicide, purportedly meant for a fencing project by a fictitious entity known as The Serengeti Mara Trust (TSMT).
Fake Road Tender, Phantom Officials and a Manufactured Opportunity
According to witness statements seen by The Weekly Vision, the scheme began when Bercons and Partners Ltd was enticed with the promise of a lucrative, donor-funded road construction tender within the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Masikonde allegedly coordinated a series of meetings, involving an individual introduced as the personal assistant to then Narok Governor Samuel ole Tunai, to convince the investor that the tender process was legitimate.
Company representatives were even taken on a site visit to the “proposed Oloolaimuita–Olpusimoru Road”. They were later told that the project needed redesigning following “community demands” and would take longer than expected.
It was at this point that Masikonde and his associates allegedly proposed an alternative opportunity: supplying herbicide to a fencing project supposedly funded by TSMT. Bercons was misled into believing it had already been registered on the Trust’s procurement portal, making it easier to secure future tenders.
After a staged procurement meeting in a Nairobi hotel, Bercons received a fraudulent purchase order valued at Sh56 million for 2,000 litres of Pramitol 25E. Before the company could import the herbicide, Masikonde allegedly advised them to buy from a “local supplier”, Leera Ltd, which he claimed was already supplying conservancies in the Mara.
To prove authenticity, Bercons purchased a one-litre sample, which was “approved” by the fake Trust officials. Unable to supply the full 2,000 litres at once, the company negotiated to deliver it in batches. On 5 July 2021, Bercons delivered the first 500 litres to TSMT’s purported offices, where it was received and stamped by a man introduced as Mr Kuiyun.
However, another meeting followed in which the company was told that no payment would be made until the entire consignment was delivered. Masikonde later informed them that 640 litres and 860 litres had been received on different dates, prompting Bercons to release payment to Leera Ltd’s bank accounts.
Between July and September 2021, Bercons deposited Sh36 million into Leera Ltd’s NCBA Kenya Commercial Bank and Stanbic Bank accounts. Only later did it occur to the company that the “Trust officials”, the purchase order, the deliveries, and the entire procurement process had been an elaborate scam.
Demands for a ‘Facilitation Fee’
According to statements, the directors began following up on payment after delivering the final batch. One man, Daniel Parseiya Kimogor, who allegedly masqueraded as a TSMT director under the name Mr Ole Mulati, told them he was “awaiting community minutes” before releasing payment. He later demanded a Sh1 million facilitation fee, which Bercons directors delivered to the TSMT office in Narok on 8 December 2021. Kimogor allegedly signed for it under the fictitious name Metiame ole Bulati.
When both Kimogor and Masikonde became evasive, the company realised it had fallen victim to an elaborate fraud. Masikonde was charged with conspiracy to defraud and appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Bernard Ochoi on 7 August 2021. He denied the charges and was granted a Sh6 million bond, or Sh4 million cash bail.
Masikonde’s attempts to secure release through multiple sureties were rejected by the court: His wife’s title deed was rejected as it was allegedly processed after his arrest. A subsequent title from his paternal aunt was rejected due to missing restriction orders.
Even after restrictions were placed, the court still declined the surety. He later sought a revision of these decisions in the High Court, but on 11 April 2024, Justice Lilian Mutende dismissed the application, ruling that the trial court had exercised proper discretion. The case remains on record, even as Masikonde now assumes office as the newly elected MCA for Narok Town Ward.
