A Nairobi court has issued a warrant for the arrest of businessman Paul Mwangi Warutere, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent tender scheme involving the Moi International Sports Center.
Warutere, alongside his father James Warutere Njege and two others, allegedly conned businesswoman Jane Wanjiru Kabiruri of Ksh 13.7 million by falsely promising her company involvement in a lucrative stadium refurbishment project.
Warutere, however, failed to appear for his court hearing, prompting Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego to issue the warrant. Representing the complainant, lawyer Mugo Musa informed the court that this is not the first time Warutere has dodged court proceedings.
“Your honour, the accused has an outstanding warrant from the High Court and is evading court to escape arrest,” Musa submitted.
The defense team claimed their client was unable to attend the hearing due to illness, but the court remained unconvinced as no medical evidence was presented to substantiate the claim.
Meanwhile, co-accused individuals James Warutere Njege, Stephen Ndiritu, and Mercy Wangui Gichema appeared in court as scheduled.
State prosecutor Herbert Sonye requested the warrant, highlighting that Warutere’s repeated absences had delayed the case.
“Your honour, I request a warrant against the accused due to his continuous absence, which has delayed this matter’s resolution,” Sonye submitted.
Magistrate Alego emphasized that this case, filed in 2019, has dragged on far too long, and attempts by the defense to suggest recent payment negotiations were deemed insincere.
“I cannot accept that payments have just begun six years later,” she stated, ordering the arrest.
The court was informed that Warutere and Njege, operating under Neutral Enterprises Limited and Topmax Media Limited, defrauded Wanjiru by promising her company, Janetek Enterprises, inclusion in the project.
The charges also include acquiring credit worth Ksh 1.09 million through false pretenses and issuing a bad cheque.
The case will resume on March 17, 2025, as the court seeks accountability in the protracted fight for justice.
