Talal Yousef Zaitoun told Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Theresa Nyangena on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, that he and his elder brother, Hatim Yousef, were taken to a small room and instructed to give misleading explanations about their presence in the government building.
According to his testimony, the two brothers arrived in Kenya from Egypt on March 10, 2026, after allegedly coordinating with Collins Okendi, the personal assistant to Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
At around 4am, they were collected from the airport by Geoffrey Were, the third accused person, whom Talal identified as Nico, alongside another suspect. They were subsequently taken to Radisson Blu Hotel.
Later that day, the brothers were driven to Harambee House, where they were received by Purity Njeri, the fifth accused person, and escorted to the 12th floor.
They were taken to a conference room where they met the other accused persons. During the discussions, Michael Musyoki Ngumbi and others reportedly explained the financing arrangements involving credit insurance for an ambulance contract.
Talal told the court that he maintained communication with Okendi throughout the meeting and recorded conversations involving the participants.
The situation reportedly changed when Okendi informed him that police officers had arrived on the 12th floor.
The group was preparing to leave when they were informed that President William Ruto was using the building's lift, forcing them to delay their departure.
Talal said Purity subsequently directed them to an adjoining room, explaining that the situation had become urgent because of the President's presence.
Inside the smaller room, Geoffrey reportedly continued discussing the credit insurance arrangements with Hatim.
Talal further testified that Geoffrey instructed them to tell anyone who questioned their presence that they were either construction workers, job seekers or had other legitimate reasons for being there.
About five minutes later, security officers entered the room and arrested Geoffrey before proceeding to the conference room, where the remaining suspects were also apprehended.
The testimony forms part of the ongoing court proceedings surrounding the alleged ambulance contract financing scheme.
https://peopledaily.digital/news/witness-recounts-how-they-were-hidden-in-a-small-room-and-told-to-lie-in-harambee-house
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