Senate Hopeful Stephen Nyandiare Forced to Refund $16,000 After Gold Deal Turns Sour
Stephen Ochieng Nyandiare
High-profile dispute involving Stephen Nyandiare, an aspiring politician now facing intense scrutiny over his role in a fraudulent mineral transaction that cost an American investor thousands.
The Congolese Connection
Documents seen by African Scandals reveal that Nyandiare, who has officially launched his 2027 bid for the Kisumu senatorial seat, leveraged a long-term friendship to broker a deal that seemed too good to be true. Nyandiare reportedly convinced Texas resident Mr Kelly Radnitzer that he held the keys to a massive fortune: 200 kilograms of gold sourced from a Congolese national, Mr Olivier Omatuku.
The plan was sophisticated.
Stephen Ochieng Nyandiare’s company, Zumr Africa, registered just a year prior at Marsabit Plaza, was positioned as the “escrow agent” and exclusive link between the seller and a Dubai-based firm, Essilux Trading. The contract, signed on May 13, 2024, promised a discounted rate of $40,000 per kilogram.
Red Flags and “Phantom” Fleets
The deal began to unravel as the logistical costs mounted. To facilitate the initial 5 kg “trial shipment” to Dubai, Mr Kelly Radnitzer was directed to cover substantial overheads:
$24,000: Invoiced by Zumr Africa for “government taxes”.
$128,750: Invoiced by a firm called Oasis Aviation for airlifting services.
$2,000: Billed by Mo Law Advocates for legal fees.
Investigations into Oasis Aviation raise serious concerns. While the company’s website boasts a fleet of 50 charter planes operating out of Wilson Airport, official searches indicate the entity is neither a registered nor licensed aircraft operator.
The Dubai Wait and the Forced Refund
Trusting the word of Stephen Nyandiare, Radnitzer flew to Dubai to await the shipment. He waited five months. The gold never arrived.
Realising the transaction was a sham, Radnitzer demanded his money back. In February of this year, the pressure finally forced a partial concession: $16,000 (Sh2 million) was refunded to Radnitzer via Dexis Investments Holdings Ltd.
“Malicious and Slapdash”: The Legal Backlash
Despite the refund, the fallout has been anything but professional. Rather than an apology,
Stephen Nyandiare responded with a scorched-earth legal defence. His lawyers issued a blistering letter, portraying the aspiring senator as a victim of “extortionist” behaviour.
“Our client is a man of means and intellect who is adored globally for his excellent reputation,” the letter states, before labeling Radnitzer’s attempts to recover his funds as “malicious, slapdash, and slipshod.”
As Stephen Nyandiare hits the campaign trail for the 2027 elections, this “gold-standard” scandal continues to cast a long shadow over his bid for office. For Mr Kelly Radnitzer, the lesson was a costly one: in the world of international gold trading, friendship is rarely a guarantee of honesty.
