The suspects, Elijah Ndung’u Gachanja and Kevin Omato Manwa, appeared in court on November 10, 2025, after police arrested them on November 7.
The Equity Bank employees charged in the case face allegations of conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing by servant.
Employees face fraud-related charges
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) charged the two employees under the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that Gachanja and Manwa planned to steal KSh 4 million belonging to Equity Bank Kenya Limited.
Court documents state that the alleged offence occurred on or before November 3, 2025, at an unknown location within Kenya.
The first charge accuses the two of conspiring to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code.
Alleged theft through bank positions
The accused employees also face charges of stealing by servant under Section 281 of the Penal Code.
Prosecutors claim the two unlawfully took money that came into their possession through their employment.
Gachanja worked as a relationship officer in operations at Equity Bank’s Githurai branch.
Manwa worked as a relationship supervisor in customer service.
The prosecution alleges that the suspects used their positions within the bank to access and transfer the funds.
Bank officials listed in the case
Equity Bank representatives Nicholas Mwaura, James Kaminja, and Inspector Sore Shibanda are listed as complainants.
The prosecution told the court that the alleged theft involved misuse of internal access.
Investigators are examining how the funds moved and whether other individuals participated in the alleged scheme.
The prosecution described the matter as a serious breach of trust involving employees of a financial institution.
Court grants bail terms
The investigating officer told the court that police arrested the suspects without a warrant.
He confirmed that officers presented them before court within the required legal timelines.
The defence team requested lenient bail conditions, arguing that the accused had strong community ties and no previous criminal records.
The court granted each suspect a KSh 1 million bond or an alternative cash bail of KSh 400,000.
The magistrate also directed the accused not to contact witnesses or interfere with investigations.
Banking sector insider fraud concerns
The case has renewed concerns about insider fraud within Kenya’s banking sector.
Financial institutions continue to strengthen internal controls to prevent employees from abusing access to sensitive systems.
Experts have called for stronger audits, monitoring systems, and improved fraud detection measures.
Case to continue in court
The prosecution will continue presenting evidence as investigations into the alleged theft proceed.
The court will mention the matter later in November 2025.
The accused persons remain bound by the bail conditions as they await further court directions.
