Fraudster in Spotlight: The Dual Life of Godwins Agutu

Godwins Agutu first captured public attention in July 2020 when he appeared on NTV as an articulate whistleblower exposing alleged COVID-19 corruption scandals.

Presenting himself as the director of Network Action Against Corruption (NAAC), Agutu projected the image of a dedicated anti-corruption crusader.

However, behind this façade appears to be a pattern of alleged criminal activities that has repeatedly brought him into conflict with law enforcement.

The Public Face

NAAC, the organization Agutu leads, describes itself as an anti-corruption watchdog that became “fully operational in 2019.”

According to its website, the organization claims to work alongside established government agencies including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). NAAC states its mission as “investigating and preventing corruption, economic crimes and educating the public on the dangers of corruption.”

A History of Legal Troubles

Agutu’s first documented brush with the law came in September 2017, when he was arrested by officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and DCI in Kayole Division.

According to reports, he was found in possession of multiple fraudulent identification cards, including:

– A Kenya Police Service ID card identifying him as a Senior Superintendent of Police
– A Kenya Revenue Authority staff card
– An ID card from the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board

The outcome of this 2017 case remains unclear, with reports suggesting it may not have proceeded to full prosecution.

The 2020 Arrest

More serious allegations emerged in September 2020 when DCI Chief George Kinoti announced the arrest of Agutu alongside two accomplices—Alex Mutua and Ken Kimathi—on fraud charges. The trio allegedly:

1. Impersonated officials from a multi-disciplinary team including the EACC and KRA
2. Abducted the director of Hi-tech Enterprise
3. Demanded a Ksh2 million bribe to resolve an alleged tax evasion case
4. Used a government vehicle (GKB 070B) later determined to belong to the Judiciary
5. Seized the victim’s laptop during an initial confrontation
6. Forcibly took the victim to Lutheran House along Nyerere Road (where NAAC offices are located)
7. Extorted Ksh500,000 from the victim after forcing him to contact family members for funds

Continued Pattern of Alleged Offenses

In 2024, Agutu appears to have been arrested again on remarkably similar charges. Reports indicate he was detained by DCI officers alongside Alex Mutua Mutuku and Ken Gichovi Kimathi for:

– Kidnapping the director of Hi-tech Enterprise
– Falsely claiming to represent a multi-agency team from the EACC and KRA
– Demanding a Ksh2 million bribe
– Using Toyota Prados (including the same government vehicle GKB 070B)
– Taking the victim to Lutheran House along Nyerere Road
– Extorting Ksh500,000

The striking similarities between the 2020 and 2024 cases raise questions about whether these represent separate incidents or possibly confusion in reporting dates of the same case.

Criminal Associates

Of particular interest is Agutu’s association with Alex Mutuku, a known cyber-fraud specialist previously implicated in:

– The 2017 hacking of KRA systems, allegedly diverting Ksh4 billion
– Hacking the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) systems
– A 2015 case involving the theft of Ksh2.8 million from NIC Bank through system hacking
– Attempted extortion of NIC Bank by threatening ransomware attacks unless paid Ksh6.2 million in bitcoin

During the 2024 arrest, Agutu reportedly identified three additional associates as KRA officers: Houdouvia Njoroge, Harrison Ochar, and Brian Kimemia.

Questions of Credibility

The repeated arrests raise serious concerns about Agutu’s credibility as an anti-corruption advocate. His repeated appearances in the media as a whistleblower, including his prominent role in the NTV COVID-19 corruption exposé, contrast sharply with his alleged criminal activities.

The case highlights the challenges in verifying the legitimacy of self-proclaimed watchdog organizations and underscores the importance of thorough vetting of sources in investigative journalism.

As Agutu’s case proceeds through the judicial system, it serves as a reminder that those who position themselves as fighters against corruption may sometimes be engaged in the very activities they claim to oppose.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​