By Andrew Kariuki
Eleven people have been charged at the Milimani Law Courts with conspiracy to defraud Sidian Bank of Ksh 7,882,845 in what investigators describe as a coordinated cyber fraud targeting multiple customer accounts.
The suspects ; Dancan Kipngetich Koech, Humphrey Tinega Nyakundi, John Gikunju Kamau, Mediatrix Adhiambo Ochieng, Nicodemus Kianga Kyuli, Michael Mugo Njoroge, John Oboni Odidi, Phostine Hesbon Ochieng, Christiano Nangole, Collins Mutuma and Elizabeth Waithira Kubai are accused of jointly executing electronic fund transfers and laundering stolen money through commercial banks and mobile money accounts across the country.
In total, the accused persons are facing 40 counts ranging from conspiracy to defraud, stealing, handling stolen goods, to acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime.
The charges stem from alleged transactions executed through multiple financial institutions, reflecting what prosecutors described as a well-coordinated syndicate involving several digital transfers and bank accounts.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences occurred on January 11, 2025, when the accused and others still at large unlawfully accessed and transferred funds from various Sidian Bank accounts into their personal and business accounts held at Family Bank, NCBA, ABSA, Diamond Trust Bank and the National Bank of Kenya.
They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, stealing, handling stolen goods and several counts of acquiring, possessing, and using proceeds of crime, all contrary to the Penal Code and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
Among those listed in the court documents, Dancan Kipngetich Koech faces the most counts, including accusations of acquiring and transferring money believed to be proceeds of theft.
Others such as Mediatrix Ochieng, John Gikunju, and Nicodemus Kyuli are charged with receiving funds from compromised accounts and channeling them through their personal or business accounts.
The complainant in the case, Sidian Bank, has listed key witnesses including Peter Karichu and Nicholas Mulinge Muindi, both employees of the financial institution.
All eleven suspects appeared before the Milimani Magistrates Court, where they denied the charges. The court ordered that bail and bond terms remain the same, except for the seventh accused, whose terms were reviewed.
Magistrate directed that the case be mentioned virtually on December 10, 2025, for pretrial directions and summoned the investigating officer to file a progress report.
The case, which involves complex digital transactions and multiple banks, is among a growing number of cyber-enabled fraud prosecutions linked to financial institutions across Kenya.
