Police are investigating an alarming surge in robberies targeting bank customers in Mumias town, with detectives now focusing on the possible involvement of bank employees in what appears to be a sophisticated criminal syndicate.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a probe into staff at two leading banks in Mumias following a pattern of robberies where customers who withdraw substantial sums are subsequently attacked and robbed.
In the most recent incident, Ms. Roselida Akinyi, a teacher at Nanderema Secondary School, was fatally shot on Thursday after withdrawing Sh200,000 from Cooperative Bank in Mumias town. The attack occurred after she diverted from the Kakamega-Mumias highway at Eluche. Detectives are currently questioning the boda boda rider who was transporting her at the time of the incident.
On Saturday, a team of detectives interrogated staff from the bank and reviewed security footage. The investigators have also confiscated mobile phones belonging to bank employees to assist with the forensic investigation.
“We are making progress in the pursuit of this gang that is specializing in financial crime,” said Mumias East sub-county police commander Dorice Chemoss. “So far, no arrest or recovery has been made.”
Local residents have expressed concerns that criminals are colluding with rogue bank staff who provide information about clients withdrawing large amounts of cash. The criminals then track these customers and rob them at gunpoint, sometimes breaking into vehicles parked at petrol stations, supermarkets, or hotels.
Several other victims have been identified in recent months:
- A retired teacher from South Wanga lost Sh500,000 to robbers who trailed him from Mumias town, deliberately hit his motorbike at Lusumu River, and robbed him at gunpoint
- Ms. Ruth Makamu from Mayoni lost Sh700,000 after being robbed by a gun-wielding gang on a motorcycle; she died days later
- A teacher from Nyakwaka lost Sh250,000 when criminals broke into his car shortly after a bank withdrawal
- Mr. Ali Wawire, husband of the recently murdered Roselida Akinyi, was previously abducted and robbed of Sh600,000 his wife had withdrawn
Chemoss explained that the robberies are either orchestrated by bank employees or individuals who monitor activities within banking halls without raising suspicion. “They easily monitor activities of clients within the banking halls without raising suspicion and once they spot a target, they signal their accomplices waiting outside the bank. A client who walks in empty-handed but comes out carrying something from the tellers definitely becomes an easy target,” she said.
Police have urged residents to exercise caution when withdrawing large sums of money and to request police escort services when necessary.
The investigation continues as authorities work to dismantle what appears to be an organized crime network targeting bank customers in the region.
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