A teller with Equity Bank was arraigned over allegations of stealing more than Sh1.2 million from the bank and one of its customers.
Gilbert Kiptoo Lelon, stationed at Equity Bank’s Kahawa Branch, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego, where he was charged with stealing by servant contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code.
Prosecutors alleged that on August 11, 2024, while serving as a teller, he stole Sh800,000 from the account of Mary Kanini Kamuya, a customer of the bank.
He is also accused of committing a second theft just a day later.
On August 12, 2024, he allegedly stole Sh454,000 belonging to Equity Bank, which came into his possession by virtue of his employment.
The accused denied all charges. The court ordered that he remain in custody until August 19, 2025, pending the completion of a pre-bail report to assess his eligibility for bail or bond
Elsewhere, businesswoman Esther Muthoni Muiruri, was handed a 21-month jail term after being convicted in a multi-million-shilling fraud and forgery scandal.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi found Muiruri guilty of various counts of obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, and uttering false documents.
The case arose from a complaint filed by businessman Duncan Maraga Mbici. As an alternative to serving time, Muiruri was ordered to pay substantial fines: Sh400,000 per count (or 12 months in prison) for obtaining money by false pretence.
According to court testimony, Mbici met Muiruri through her husband, Joseph Migwi Mwai. The couple invited him to join a mineral water business, promising lucrative returns. Convinced by the proposal, Mbici invested in their company, Bella Casa Agencies Ltd, acquiring a 30 percent stake.
They opened a joint account at I&M Bank with Mbici and Muiruri as co-signatories and later agreed to expand into the local and international meat trade.
Prosecutors revealed that Muiruri then introduced Mbici to what appeared to be a highly profitable tender from Craft Trading, a firm allegedly operating from the Kuwait Embassy, to supply meat.
Trusting her, Mbici raised the necessary funds to finance the deal.
While Mbici was away in the United States on business, Muiruri managed operations. Upon his return in November 2021, he found their joint account empty.
His inquiries uncovered what investigators described as a carefully planned fraud, leading to the charges and eventual conviction.
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