Five individuals were arrested on Sunday after a local financial institution in Itoleka, Kitui Central was robbed of over Ksh1.5 million.
The five, who were all employees of Financial Service Association (FSA), were accused of digging a tunnel into the banking hall.
Kitui Central OCPD, Waqo Abduba, confirmed that the crime was committed at Mutune FSA’s branch in Kitui Central.
The Standard reported that the police had recovered Ksh 360,000 from two of the suspects' homes believed to be part of the money stolen with one having Ksh 260,000 and another Ksh 100,000.
“We have made a positive move by arresting five of the branch officials and recovering Ksh 360,000 in two of the suspects. They will be arraigned in court to face charges of breaking and stealing,” the OCPD stated.
Police suspected that the theft was an inside job after they discovered that the stolen money had not been put into the safe.
It is alleged that the bank employees decided to keep cash in their office desk drawers instead of using the safes.
Reports by Daily Nation revealed that in custody also was a night guard who was on duty on Friday. The guard alleged that he did not hear any commotion.
Kitui Central Deputy OCPD Edward Legei stated that the bank’s night guard discovered the huge hole on the wall before he informed the police on Saturday morning.
“The night guard told the police that he was patrolling the bank when he saw a tunnel,” added Legei.
Police also recovered the equipment used in digging the tunnel at the scene.
