By CourtNews.co.ke Staff Writer
Two employees of Equity Bank Kenya Limited have been charged before a Nairobi court with allegedly stealing Sh4 million from the lender in a case that has raised questions about internal bank fraud and staff accountability.
Bank Staff Accused of Stealing Sh4 Million
The accused, Elijah Ndung’u Gachanja and Kevin Omato Manwa, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Ndobi at the Milimani Law Courts, where they denied multiple charges, including theft and conspiracy to steal.
Gachanja, who served as a Relationship Officer – Operations, and Manwa, a Relationship Supervisor – Customer Service at Equity Bank’s Githurai Branch, are alleged to have stolen Sh4 million, which came into their possession by virtue of their employment.
Prosecutors told the court that the two committed the offense on November 3, 2025, at Equity Bank Kenya Limited, Westlands Branch, in Nairobi.
Charges of Conspiracy and Theft
According to the charge sheet, Gachanja and Manwa conspired with other individuals who are still at large to defraud the financial institution.
They face two main counts:
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Stealing by servant, contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code.
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Conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution said investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other suspects believed to have participated in the scheme.
Court Grants Bail
Both accused pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Ndobi granted each a bond of Sh1 million with one surety of a similar amount.
Alternatively, the two may secure their release by depositing cash bail of Sh400,000 each, with one contact person approved by the court.
The matter will be mentioned on November 20, 2025, for pre-trial directions, when the prosecution is expected to supply witness statements and documentary evidence.
Bank Fraud Cases on the Rise
The case highlights a growing trend of insider fraud targeting Kenya’s financial sector, where employees exploit their access to internal systems to siphon funds.
In recent years, several local banks have reported incidents involving collusion between staff and external fraudsters — prompting regulators and lenders to strengthen cybersecurity and internal audit controls.
A senior banking risk consultant told CourtNews.co.ke that such cases undermine public confidence in the sector and call for stringent background checks and real-time transaction monitoring.
“Internal bank fraud is often difficult to detect early because perpetrators understand the system. Strong compliance and rotation of staff are key deterrents,” the expert said.
Next Court Date
The case will return to court on November 20, 2025, for mention and pre-trial, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) finalizes investigations into the alleged conspiracy.
If convicted, the two risk a prison term of up to seven years under the Penal Code for stealing by servant.