A Toyota Fielder believed to have been used in the robbery of Sh800,000 from a woman in Kimilili, Bungoma County, has been recovered by police in Vihiga County. The vehicle was discovered abandoned in the Luanda area following a police operation, after the driver fled on foot as officers fired warning shots. The stolen cash, however, was not recovered.
Investigations indicate the vehicle has been linked to at least five other robbery incidents reported between February and June in the Luanda and Yala regions. In each case, the perpetrators targeted individuals who had just withdrawn large amounts of money from banks. They used fake number plates to mask the identity of the car and executed well-coordinated ambushes, suggesting a pattern of organized crime.
On the day of the most recent robbery in Kimilili, which occurred on June 30, the victim a woman who operates several Mpesa outlets in Naitiri had withdrawn Sh800,000 from a local bank. She hired a motorcycle to return to her business premises. While riding along the Maliki-Kitale Road, a vehicle overtook and blocked her path. Two armed assailants jumped out, attacked her, and made away with the cash after a brief struggle in which the woman was injured.
The same vehicle was later sighted in Emuhaya, prompting detectives to act quickly. When they closed in, the suspect abandoned the car and escaped. Inside the vehicle, police recovered a fake number plate that had previously been flagged in CCTV footage from earlier robbery cases.
Authorities believe this group has refined its strategy, often tailing victims from banking halls before striking. This has led to suspicions that some bank staff might be collaborating with criminal gangs by leaking customer transaction details. Police are currently pursuing leads to identify and apprehend all individuals involved, including the registered owner of the recovered car.
This latest robbery follows a series of similar incidents in recent months. On June 28, a man in Parklands, Nairobi, lost nearly Sh1 million after being attacked by individuals posing as police officers. Other high-profile cases include thefts of Sh7 million in Nairobi’s CBD, Sh3.6 million from a woman on Lungalunga Road, and Sh1.8 million from a businessman in Kitengela.
Law enforcement agencies have issued a warning to the public to remain vigilant after conducting large cash withdrawals. Banks have also been urged to enhance internal security measures and monitor staff closely to prevent possible leaks that may be aiding criminal operations. Investigations into the crime syndicate are ongoing.
