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Businessman seeking justice in Sh180m fake laptops tender case dies
Prominent businessman Stephen Ngei and his wife Giannaphina Mumbua. They died in a road accident on Saturday.
Businessman Stephen Ngei, the founder of Makindu Motors Limited, is dead.
He and his wife, Giannaphina Mumbua, died in a grisly road accident near Masimba Township on the Mombasa–Nairobi highway.
According to police and eyewitnesses, they died instantly when the pick-up truck he was driving collided head-on with a truck bearing a Southern Sudan registration plate on Saturday.
He was travelling towards Nairobi.
While the police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, the couple's bodies were taken to the Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home in Machakos County for preservation.
He shot to the national limelight in 2018 when he was caught up in a Sh180 million fake laptops tender which was reportedly signed inside Harambee House Annex, the office of then Deputy President William Ruto. According to court documents, Ngei said he delivered laptops worth Sh180 million to individuals posing as top government officials.
He subsequently moved to court after unsuccessful attempts to get paid for the supplied laptops.
The case which is yet to be decided involves Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang and traders Augustine Matata, Teddy Owiti, Kevin Nyongesa, James Makokha, Johan Osore, and Joy Kamau.
The accused allegedly defrauded Makindu Motors of 2,800 HP laptops. The prosecution's evidence indicates the actual cost of the swindled goods reached Sh269,360,000.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, and Parliamentary Service Commissioner Johnson Muthama eulogised Ngei as a self-made entrepreneur.
“Through vision, perseverance and unwavering commitment, he created opportunities for many and became a source of inspiration to countless young people across Kenya,” Mr Musyoka said in a statement.
The late businessman started off as a second-hand clothes hawker before he went on to build Makindu Motors Limited into an enviable motor vehicle assembling unit.
The company started with importing motorcycles from China before it set up a factory for assembling motorcycles and motor vehicles at Makindu Township in Makueni County.
Over the years, the motorcycle became so successful that the late President Mwai Kibaki once feted Ngei as one of the top tax payers in the country.
“At that time, Makindu Motors Limited was one of the three leading motorcycle companies in Kenya. That led to the manufacture of a special motorcycle brand called Makindu,” said Peter Mr Kiuluku, a Makueni businessman.
Humble beginning
The success of the company belied Ngei’s humble beginning.
“Mr Ngei rose from extremely humble beginnings to become a highly industrious entrepreneur and arguably the most successful businessman and investor in the entire Ukambani region,” Mr Mutuse said in a statement.
He stressed Ngei’s contribution to the developing the country’s economic through creating numerous jobs and business opportunities.
“As Kenyans we have lost one of our most respected businessmen. He was hardworking, honest, kind and loved this country. His death is a big loss to all of us who looked up to him as an example of good leadership,” said Mr Julius Mutwii, another Makueni businessman.
Despite the success of his business, Ngei maintained a humble lifestyle.
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