World Bank sanctions e-Citizen founder over fraudulent Somalia deal

eCitizen Founder James Ayugi and his firm Webmasters Kenya Ltd have been sanctioned by the  World Bank over fraudulent practices in a tendering process involving Sh12.7 million.

Communication from the multinational lender show Ayugi and his firm have been blacklisted from participating in any World Bank financed projects for five years.

The notice dated June 8, 2026, details the intrigues behind the blacklisting, which involved a project in Somalia.

It is said that Ayugi and his firm, while tendering for the project, presented two key experts and their certifications, as part of the team that will be implementing.

However, the board found out that Ayugi misrepresented the availability of the experts in order to win the contracts. More so, Ayugi and his firm used the experts’ curriculum vitae when bidding without their authorisation.

“Pursuant to Sanctions Board Decision No. 147 issued in Sanctions Case No. 790, the Sanctions Board imposes a sanction of debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years on both the firm Webmasters Kenya Ltd., and the individual Mr. James Ayugi (together, the “Respondents”),” reads the notice from the bank’s Sanctions Board.

It adds: “ These sanctions are imposed on the Respondents for fraudulent and obstructive practices as defined in paragraphs 1.23(a)(ii) and 1.23(a)(v) of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, dated January 2011 (the “January 2011 Consultant Guidelines”).”