Two Equity Bank Kenya employees have been charged before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi with conspiring to steal KSh 4 million from the financial institution. The two, identified as Elijah Ndung’u Gachanja and Kevin Omato Manwa, appeared in court on 10 November 2025 following their arrest on 7 November.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the pair are accused of jointly conspiring to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code. The prosecution alleges that on or before 3 November 2025, at an unknown location within the Republic of Kenya, the two suspects conspired to steal KSh 4 million, the property of Equity Bank Kenya Limited.
The second count filed against them cites stealing by servant, contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code, Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya. The charge states that the accused, while employed at the bank’s Westlands Branch in Nairobi, unlawfully appropriated the money which came into their possession by virtue of their positions.
According to the prosecution, Gachanja served as a relationship officer in operations at the bank’s Githurai branch, while Manwa worked as a relationship supervisor in customer service. They are alleged to have jointly misappropriated the funds belonging to the bank on or before 3 November 2025.
Representatives of Equity Bank, including Nicholas Mwaura, James Kaminja, and Inspector Sore Shibanda, are listed as complainants in the matter. The prosecution has requested that the court treat the case as a serious breach of fiduciary responsibility and an act that undermines public confidence in Kenya’s financial institutions.
During the court proceedings, the investigating officer confirmed that the accused were apprehended without a warrant and presented to court within the statutory timeframe. The charge sheet bears official stamps from the Kenya Police Service and the Milimani Law Courts, confirming the formal registration of the charges on 10 November 2025.
The prosecution told the court that the theft was committed through internal access, taking advantage of the accused persons’ privileged roles within the bank’s system. The investigating officer said, “This case demonstrates a pattern of internal collusion where employees entrusted with customer operations exploit systemic weaknesses to commit fraud.”
In response, the defence team requested lenient bail terms, arguing that the accused are first-time offenders with strong community ties and no prior criminal records. “Our clients are willing to cooperate fully with the investigators and attend all court proceedings,” counsel for the accused told the court.
The magistrate granted each of the accused a KSh 1 million bond with a KSh 400,000 cash bail option, ordering them to remain in custody until they fulfil the bail requirements.
Financial analysts have noted that this case underscores a persistent challenge in Kenya’s banking sector — insider involvement in fraudulent activities. According to a banking risk report published earlier this year, insider fraud remains among the top five threats facing local financial institutions, often resulting in both financial losses and reputational damage.
A former regulator, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the case, said, “Internal bank fraud erodes public trust and highlights the urgent need for stronger internal audit systems and data oversight mechanisms in commercial banks.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated that it will push for a fast-tracked hearing, citing the public interest involved and the potential impact on the integrity of the banking sector. The matter is expected to proceed to mention within the next two weeks, pending the submission of full evidence bundles from the prosecution.
The court directed that both Gachanja and Manwa comply with all bail conditions and refrain from contacting witnesses or interfering with bank operations. The case will be mentioned later in November 2025 as investigations continue into possible accomplices allegedly linked to the attempted theft.
