This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On November 22, 2019, a shocking revelation emerged from the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) when banks rejected attempts to secretly change the organisation's account signatories, sparking suspicion of fraud.
According to sources, cartels led by MYWO Chairperson Rahab Mwikali and her Secretary Elizabeth Mayieka were disappointed after the banks declined to change the account's bonafide signatory, National Treasurer Mary Odhiambo.
MYWO boasts of millions of shillings in Kenya Commercial Bank and Barclays Bank among others.
The cartels were allegedly targeting millions of shillings expected from a scheme where unsuspecting MYWO members were duped into shoddy dealings with a microfinance company.
MYWO Chairlady Rahab Mwikali has been accused of turning the organisation into a family affair and imposing illegal agreements with Musoni Microfinance to loan water tanks to members.
The cartels allegedly preyed on a Sh500m racket where 200 members per subcounty out of 1,450 subcounties were required to contribute Sh100 each for ordinary membership, Sh600 commitment fee, and Sh1,000 life membership fee as a qualification for the loan.
After giving keen analysis on the money involved, the cartels roped in Lindon Otieno, a junior officer at the non-governmental organisations coordination board, who is also allegedly in the payroll of the crooks at the MYWO for facilitating corruption deals.
A section of irate members have petitioned the CEO NGO coordination board Franklin Nkanata to investigate Lindon for allegedly aiding fraud within the organisation.
Questions have been asked why Lindon did not bother to consult his bosses when he made a recommendation calling for the change of the signature of the group's national treasurer.
Members of the group have appealed to investigative agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, DCI, and the DPP, to speed up a probe against Rahab who boasts of high connections within the corridors of power.
