A retired United Nations diplomat, Haile Menkerios, has accused a key ally of President William Ruto of tricking him out of KSh 320 million through a fake investment scheme allegedly tied to Department of Defence contracts. According to court documents, Menkerios claims that politician Francis Mureithi convinced him to put money into what turned out to be nonexistent government tenders. Mureithi later admitted in court that the contracts never existed.
Back in 2016, while preparing for retirement and serving as UN head in Ethiopia, Menkerios decided to go into business with Abeba Weldehaimanot, a Kenyan of Eritrean origin and longtime friend. In April that year, Weldehaimanot introduced him to Mureithi and his associate Francis Mwaura in her Kilimani apartment. Also present was Hussein Osman, who vouched for Mureithi’s credentials, claiming he managed lucrative contracts for the Department of Defence.
Mureithi told Menkerios he had secured massive contracts to supply beans and rice to the DoD, and to deliver 30,000 bags of sugar weekly to Mumias Sugar Company for resale to the DoD or open market. Trusting these promises, Menkerios agreed to invest. He first contributed USD 235,000 (approximately KSh 25.8 million), expecting repayment plus profit.
A shocking web of deceit has emerged around politician Francis Mureithi, a close ally of President William Ruto, who is accused of conning retired United Nations diplomat Haile Menkerios out of Sh320 million through fake government tender deals. Court filings and investigative records reveal a well-coordinated scheme that exploited Menkerios’ trust, using forged Defence Department contracts, falsified documents, and political connections to siphon millions under the guise of lucrative supply deals.
Only days later, Mureithi pushed for reinvestment, claiming a new deal with higher returns. Menkerios invested more, rising to USD 618,000 (about KSh 68 million). They formed a joint venture and signed contracts. Mureithi then asked for additional funds supposed guarantees, capital for expansion, share purchases and Menkerios obliged. Over time he sent millions more, including USD 160,000 (about KSh 17.6 million) for a new contract to supply tea leaves to the DoD.
But as months passed, Menkerios received no returns. Every demand for payments was met with excuses government delays, accounting system glitches, or bureaucratic errors. Suspicion grew, and eventually he filed suit in May 2018 at the Milimani Commercial Court, seeking USD 4.9 million (around KSh 541 million) in investment, profits, and interest.
Mureithi denied ever meeting Menkerios or inducing him into any deal. He claimed ignorance and disavowed responsibility, though he did not explicitly deny receiving the funds. He described Menkerios’ claims as imaginative. Interestingly, he resigned from Doc Find Ltd, the company that had received the money, and transferred his shares to a Chinese national who could not be traced.
During the trial, Weldehaimanot testified that Mureithi had boasted of connections to then President Uhuru Kenyatta, claiming he once accompanied him on a trip to Israel. Mureithi and Mwaura later aligned with President Ruto. The defense insisted the deals never existed and suggested they were merely a way for Menkerios to move his own money discreetly into Kenya, possibly to fund a political campaign in Eritrea.
They argued the agreements were illegal and not enforceable under Kenyan law, leaving Menkerios with no valid legal claim. A DCI investigation later revealed that Mureithi used portions of the money roughly KSh 75 million to acquire shares and properties in Ngong. Investigators recommended he and Mwaura be charged with obtaining money by false pretences.
In November, Justice Frida Mugambi dismissed the civil suit, ruling the transactions illegal. She stated that no prudent investor would commit so much money without clear documentation or understanding of the business opportunity.
