Busia Robusta Coffee Growers Chairman Leonard Morice Murwayi Charged with Scamming Tanzanian Businessman of Millions After Meeting in Busia Town

The chairman of the Busia Robusta Coffee Growers Farmers Cooperative Limited, Leonard Morice Murwayi, has been charged in a Nairobi court for allegedly scamming a Tanzanian businessman of millions of shillings following a meeting held in Busia town.

Murwayi appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina, where he denied the charges of fraud. According to the charge sheet, Murwayi is accused of obtaining USD 47,600, approximately Sh6.1 million, from Abdulkarim Abdulrazak Ismail under the pretense that he would supply him with 19.2 tonnes of Robusta coffee.

Prosecutors allege that Murwayi misled the businessman by claiming he was in a position to facilitate the sale of the coffee through the Busia Robusta Coffee Growers Farmers Cooperative Limited. Investigators say Murwayi made the representations despite knowing they were false, and that no such coffee was available for sale under the cooperative.

The alleged offence is said to have occurred between 27 September and 15 October 2024 at a Cooperative Bank branch in Busia town. The court heard that Murwayi acted jointly with others who are yet to be charged.

Following his plea of not guilty, the magistrate released Murwayi on a bond of Sh1 million pending the hearing and determination of the case. The matter is expected to proceed to pre-trial once all documents and witness statements are provided to the defence.