Officials drawn from several Farmer Societies in Matungulu Subcounty, Machakos County during a press briefing in Matungulu. Photo Andrew Mbuva 
By Andrew Mbuva
Several farmers’ societies in Matungulu Subcounty have raised alarm over an alleged con scheme by a man they claim has been extorting money from unsuspecting officials and members while parading himself as a government-connected “coordinator.”
The societies — including Kwa Matingi Cooperative Society, Kimiti Cooperative Society, Muka Mukuu Cooperative Society, Kayatta Cooperative Society, Matuu Wendano Company Limited Society, Kyaume Farmers Cooperative, and Mwatati Farmers Cooperative Society, among others — now want the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the police to probe one Cyrus Mutunga Masaku, who they accuse of using the name of State House and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to swindle them.
Speaking on behalf of the group, James Mwovi Mwangangi, chairman of Kwa Matingi Cooperative Society, alleged that Masaku has been going around societies extorting huge sums of money with promises of fast-tracking title deed acquisition.
“Cyrus has been moving from one cooperative to another, collecting money from officials by giving them false hopes that he is highly connected to State House, the President and CS Murkomen. He even calls himself the ‘Coordinator.’ We want to know which department he works in and his payroll number in government, because he is terrorizing members and elected officials,” Mwovi said.
Mwovi added that the upcoming elections for Matuu Wendano, slated for September 25, 2025, had to be moved from Matungulu to Machakos due to insecurity fears linked to Masaku’s influence.
Gerald Kiswii, chairman of Kimiti Farmers, recounted how he was conned KShs 100,000 by Masaku through a phone transaction.
“Days later, he demanded another KShs 130,000 to help us secure title deeds for Kimiti Cooperative. After that, he stopped picking calls and disappeared,” Kiswii told reporters.
Another victim, Philip Muli Munyaka, member number 381 of Matuu Wendano, said Masaku introduced himself as an officer from the President’s Office, convincing him that all his cooperative’s issues would be resolved.
“He asked me to withdraw KShs 400,000 in cash from a bank in Tala, which I gave him. Later, I paid him another KShs 150,000. I even surrendered to him the original register of Matuu Wendano farmers. DCI must investigate him because he has ruined people,” Munyaka lamented.
However, in a rejoinder, Masaku dismissed the accusations, insisting that he is not a coordinator of farmers’ societies in Ukambani. He maintained that his engagement has only been with members and shareholders of Matuu Wendano since 2022 in pursuit of their title deeds.
“The court has already handed documents to the Attorney General and the Machakos County Police Commander, and elections will be held on September 25, 2025. My work as a coordinator ends there,” Masaku said.
On claims that he is connected to State House and CS Murkomen, Masaku said:
“My friends are personal and should not be dragged into farmers’ society matters. If anyone feels I have conned them, they should go to the police. I have already recorded my statement.”
Leaders from the affected societies confirmed they too have recorded statements with authorities. They urged DCI to move swiftly to protect their members, many of them elderly farmers, from exploitation.
