The Madaraka Law Courts have charged six suspects with conspiring to defraud a man of Ksh3.4 million, robbery with violence, engaging in an organised criminal activity, and money laundering.
In a statement on Monday, May 19, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Nelson Igonga, confirmed that the six men had conspired, between January 1, 2023, and April 11, 2025, to defraud the victim of the funds, which were in his Absa and Equity bank accounts.
According to the ODPP, police nabbed three of the suspects in Kiambu county on Friday, May 2, where they recovered 129 SIM cards and more than 100 counterfeit U.S. bills, which the suspects were intending to commit identity theft.
According to Igonga, two other suspects from the group were further charged with money laundering after they channelled stolen funds into bank accounts at National Bank and Consolidated Bank, all while not revealing the source of the money.
"The court also heard that on May 2, 2025, at Ruiru town in Kiambu County, one suspect was found with 79 SIM cards, adapted primarily to commit an offence of identity theft and stealing," ODPP said.
"Also, in his possession were forged U.S. dollars, stolen phones, and two national IDs belonging to other individuals. The second suspect was found in possession of 28 SIM cards, six IDs, and a forged embassy stamp, while the third one had 22 SIM cards, four IDs, and 108 counterfeit U.S. bills," it added.
At one point this year, according to the ODPP, two of the six suspects allegedly attacked the victim, while armed with a metal rod and a knife, on Thursday, April 10, along Karioko Pangani Road, and stole his iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is said to be worth Ksh178,000.
"Further counts revealed their involvement in organised crime, with all six accused of acting in concert to commit theft for financial gain," he added.
According to the ODPP, the six suspects were denied bond or bail by the court, with the Principal Prosecution Counsel, Erick Mururu, arguing that the individuals are a flight risk.
Igonga pointed out that the court will rule on the bail and bond application on Monday, May 26.
"They pleaded not guilty to the charges before Principal Magistrate Hon. Gilbert O. Shikwe of the Makadara Law Courts," the DPP said.
"The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Erick Mururu, opposed their release on bail and bond, arguing that the accused are flight risks and that they were part of an organised criminal network, likely to continue with criminal activities," he said.
