Nairobi, Kenya — Two suspects accused of siphoning millions of shillings from local banks have been released on bail by the Milimani Law Courts, pending trial.
In rulings delivered on July 15, 2025, Senior Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi granted bail to Francis Njuguna Kamau and Eliakim Otieno Aluoko, both facing separate theft charges involving Equity Bank and NCBA Bank, respectively.
Kamau, a former employee at Equity Bank’s Makongeni branch in Thika, is accused of stealing Sh2,195,799.34 from customer accounts during his tenure at the bank.
He faces two counts of stealing by servant, contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code.
- The first charge alleges that he stole Sh1,752,107.94 between July 26 and August 24, 2024.
- The second charge involves Sh443,691.40 allegedly stolen between July 9 and 10, 2024, in collaboration with unidentified accomplices.
Kamau pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, Counsel Mwangi, appealed to the court to consider Kamau’s financial hardship and unemployment status, noting that he is the sole provider for his family and has no criminal record.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail request.
Kamau was granted a bond of Sh400,000 with a surety of the same amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh250,000. His case will be mentioned on July 28, 2025, for pre-trial to confirm exchange of witness statements.
In a separate case, Eliakim Otieno Aluoko, who is not a bank employee, was accused of stealing Sh7.9 million from NCBA Bank’s Upper Hill branch in Nairobi between February 8, 2008, and June 30, 2013.
He was charged with stealing by servant, contrary to Section 268(1) as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code. The court also heard that the theft involved collusion with uncharged accomplices.
Otieno pleaded not guilty. The prosecution revealed that an additional Sh800,000 is under active investigation but did not oppose bail.
Magistrate Ekhubi granted him a bond of Sh800,000 or a cash bail of Sh500,000.
His case will similarly be mentioned for pre-trial on July 28, 2025, in Courtroom No. 6.
The release of the suspects on bail sets the stage for full trials, with both cases expected to draw attention due to the scale of alleged financial loss.
Written by Were Kelly
