72-year-old woman robbed of Sh1.1 million after leaving bank in Karatina

A 72-year-old woman was attacked and robbed of Sh1.1 million moments after she had left a bank in Karatina, Nyeri County.

She told police she had on December 19 left the local Kenya Commercial Bank branch after withdrawing the cash for domestic use when she was attacked.

She said she took a matatu to her home and alighted at the Gaitu area at about 11 am. She then walked home along the murram road when she saw a black car stop near her.

Four men jumped out and forced her into the car before driving off with her towards Othaya area while threatening to harm or kill her if she raised an alarm.

They grabbed the cash and her mobile phone before they abandoned her in the Iridieni area within Mukurueini and drove off. She was left traumatized but unharmed.

Police were informed and visited the scene as part of the probe into the incident. The team also visited the bank to confirm the woman was there. Police suspect the attackers had prior information on the transaction the woman was to make. They suspect the attackers had information from either the bank or her family. This is the latest such attack to happen on people after leaving banks amid ongoing investigations.

And police in Ongata Rongai arrested a suspect linked to a series of robberies in the area. The suspect identified as Hashim Karim Anyanja was traced to Eastleigh, Nairobi where he was arrested on Saturday after a probe.

He was found with illegally registered sim cards that he is suspected to be using for fraud.

Police termed his arrest a breakthrough in the fight against crime in the area.

Elsewhere, police in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County are investigating the recovery of a G3 rifle at a private home in the Gitareni area.

The rifle had 20 bullets when it was recovered on Friday from a dumping site. There was also a damaged mobile phone in the same area.

The weapon and gadget were handed over to police for investigation.