Nairobi businesswoman loses Sh15 million to cab driver in chemical supply scam

A 39-year-old businesswoman operating as a Safaricom dealer in Nairobi has filed a lawsuit after allegedly losing Sh15 million to a taxi driver who promised her a lucrative business deal that later collapsed.

The court heard that Stephen Odhiambo Lumumba, alongside others not before the court, obtained Sh15 million from Linda Faith Wasike on various dates between 10 October 2025 and 20 January 2026 at an unknown location within Nairobi County.

He is accused of conspiring to defraud her by falsely claiming he was running a legitimate business to supply 1,000 litres of Tsunami DQ aquatic herbicide, a representation he allegedly knew to be false.

According to the complainant, Lumumba, whom she knew as a taxi driver, contacted her on 10 October 2025 with what he described as a promising business opportunity. They later met in Nairobi’s central business district, accompanied by her relative.

Lumumba allegedly explained a procurement and resale arrangement for the herbicide. Convinced by the proposal, they agreed to proceed on a trial basis. He later took them to an office on Riverside Drive, which he claimed was the procurement hub, where she was issued with a supply contract.

She initially purchased 20 litres for testing, which passed quality checks. Encouraged, she went on to procure 500 litres, spending a total of Sh15 million on goods, transport and logistics.

However, the buyer failed to pay, and attempts to redirect the consignment proved unsuccessful after part of it was declared substandard.

Lumumba was arrested and charged. He was granted cash bail of Sh2 million or a bond of Sh5 million. The case will be heard on 13 July.