CS Opiyo Wandayi’s Meetings with Notorious Fake Gold Scammer Nashon Angudha Spark Alarm

A swirl of controversy has erupted around Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi after sources revealed his frequent private meetings with Nashon Angudha, a renowned fake gold scammer in the country and currently facing multiple criminal charges, including one count of robbery with violence.

The revelation has left many in government circles questioning why two individuals with seemingly opposite reputations would be scheming together to the extent that the Cabinet Secretary hosted the scammer in his office. The meeting has raised eyebrows and sparked widespread speculation.

A Scammer’s Checkered History

Nashon Angudha’s name first hit the national spotlight nearly a decade ago when law enforcement officials uncovered a sophisticated scheme targeting both local and international investors with counterfeit gold bars.

According to reports, Angudha in his custom tricks promised lucrative returns to unwitting clients, leveraging counterfeit gold documentation and false certifications from dubious mining “consultants.”

While several co-conspirators were nabbed, Angudha himself eluded significant jail time through legal loopholes and, as some allege, well-placed connections.

Over the years, the litany of accusations against him has grown:

2017 Fake Gold Operation: Authorities in Nairobi intercepted a shipment of gold-plated bars en route to the Middle East, tracing it back to one of Angudha’s shell companies. Although Angudha publicly denied involvement, court records show he was named as a primary suspect.

2019 Investor Fraud Case: A group of European investors sued Angudha after losing millions in a purported mining venture in western Kenya. Court documents detailed how Angudha used forged licenses, elaborate ‘field visits,’ and staged laboratories to trick potential clients into believing they were investing in legitimate mining operations.

2021 Robbery with Violence Charge: Angudha faced a serious criminal charge after a botched deal allegedly turned violent, leaving one individual hospitalized. He was released on bail under controversial circumstances, fueling speculation about his deep-rooted connections.

Angudha in police custody during a recent raid. Fake gold and his car was confiscated.

Currently, he’s facing multiple fraud cases in court, Kenya Insights has extensively covered his criminal history.

While the meetings between Angudha and Wandayi could be dismissed as routine if they involved ministry officials and stakeholders, not everyone is convinced.

A senior official at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the department has been monitoring Angudha’s activities closely for years. “He’s on our radar for multiple cases,” the official said. “We are keen to understand what business a known fraudster might have with a Cabinet Secretary.”

Political Ambitions and Possible Motives

Further complicating matters is the rumor that Angudha harbors political ambitions of his own. Multiple sources suggest he is eyeing a parliamentary seat in Nyakach Constituency, hoping to parlay his notoriety into political capital. If true, any endorsement—explicit or tacit—by a high-profile government official like Wandayi could provide Angudha with a veneer of legitimacy.

Some also view the meetings between a Cabinet Secretary and someone with active court cases—especially of this magnitude—as raising natural questions about whether official channels are being misused. Perception matters in governance, and if it looks shady, it often is.