Francis Kamau Njuguna before the Milimani magistrate court on July 15, 2025
Two suspects accused of stealing millions from local banks have been released on bail by the Milimani Law Courts, pending trial.
In separate cases heard on July 15,
2025, Senior Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi granted bail to Francis
Njuguna Kamau and EliaKim Otieno Aluoko, who are facing theft charges involving
Equity Bank and NCBA Bank, respectively.
Kamau, a former employee at Equity
Bank’s Makongeni branch in Thika, was granted a bond of Sh400,000 with a surety
of the same amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh250,000.
He is accused of stealing a total of
Sh2,195,799.34 from customer accounts while employed at the bank.
He faces two counts of stealing by
servant, contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code. The first charge alleges
that he stole Sh1,752,107.94 between July 26 and August 24, 2024.
The second charge involves the theft
of Sh443,691.40 between July 9 and 10, 2024, allegedly in collaboration with
others who have not been charged.
Kamau pleaded not guilty to both
counts.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Eliakim Otieno before the Milimani law courts on July 15, 2025.
His lawyer, identified in court as Counsel Mwangi, urged the court to consider his client’s current financial hardship and lack of employment.
“He is jobless and the sole provider
for his family. He also has no prior criminal record,” Mwangi told the court,
adding that releasing Kamau on bail would allow him time to prepare his defence
and reunite with his family.
The prosecution did not oppose the
bail request.
The case will be mentioned for
pre-trial on July 28, 2025, to confirm the exchange of witness statements and
evidence between the parties.
In the second case, EliaKim Otieno
Aluoko was also freed on bail after denying charges of stealing Sh7.9 million
from NCBA Bank (formerly Commercial Bank of Africa).
Otieno, who is not a bank employee,
is accused of committing the theft between February 8, 2008, and June 30, 2013,
at the bank’s Upper Hill branch in Nairobi. The court heard that he acted
jointly with others who have not been arraigned.
He was charged with stealing by
servant, contrary to Section 268(1) as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code.
He denied the charges.
The prosecution informed the court
that an additional Sh800,000 is under investigation but did not oppose his
release on bail.
Magistrate Ekhubi granted Otieno a
bond of Sh800,000 or a cash bail of Sh500,000.
His case will also be mentioned on
July 28, 2025, in Courtroom No. 6 for pre-trial.
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