The deal was finally sealed for Cornelius Kipng’etich, or so he thought. The Jua kali artisan, based in Nakuru County, received a phone call from unknown business people claiming to have tenders from the government and sought to work with him in a bid to deliver the required items.
Things, however, took an unexpected turn after the businessmen duped the unsuspecting artisan, and walked away with the items worth Ksh1.4 million- leaving Kipgn’etich debt-ridden.
While speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the artisan detailed how he ended up chasing shadows from the tender deal turned scam.
“I launched Pamoja Kenya Simba Machinery and Fabricators in February 2022. At the time, I worked under Nakuru Simba before resigning to work on his own business.
Kenyan currency notes.
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“In November 2022, I received a call from an anonymous person who sought machines; they claimed to have a tender from the government,” he noted.
According to Kipng’etich, the business person wanted two mixers, five posho mills, a hammer mill with 20 horsepower and two digital weighing scales.
Excited about the opportunity, the artisan took a Ksh600,000 loan from the bank and gave his logbook and machines as security.
Kipng’etich owns a grey Mitsubishi Nativa, which he affirmed cost Ksh1.15 million.
The artisan proceeded to purchase the items needed in a bid to make the items. At the beginning of December 2022, the artisan informed the business person that the items were ready.
“The following day, they called…
