Man denies theft of Sh0.7 million from two MPs

A 34-year-old man was yesterday charged with stealing over Sh700,000 from two MPs after swapping their mobile SIM cards, transferring funds to himself and taking loans from various mobile money lending apps.

Bonface Kipng’etich Kirui, who appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, denied several other charges of unauthorised interference on computer data, stealing and identity theft.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions informed the court Kirui swapped the Safaricom SIM cards of Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich and his Matungulu counterpart Stephen Mule, leaving their accounts empty.

In count one, SIM swap fraud suspect was charged that on the night of April 12, at an unknown place in Kenya he stole Sh547,567 from KCB Bank belonging to Toroitich.

“On diverse dates between March 23 and 26, 2023 at unknown place and time within the republic of Kenya, Kirui jointly with others not before court stole Sh133,785 from M-Pesa account, Timiza account, M-Shwari account, Vooma App, KCB M-Pesa account and KCB Bank account of MP Mule,” the second count read.

Identity cards

Kirui was also charged that on April 12, 2023 at 1717hrs at unknown place in Kenya, intentionally and without authority changed the Safaricom details of Toroitich causing unauthorised interference to the Safaricom computer data of the politician.

Kirui was further accused of being unlawfully in possession of identity cards belonging to six different persons — Phanice Asiko Otanga, Robert Mogeni Maraburi, Alex Mwebi Magena, Kevin Kipkoech Bett, Emmah Cherono and Joyce Mutete Kimuya on the day of his arrest, April 27.

Kirui was arrested by DCI detectives in Kahawa Wendani area after the two MPs lodged complaints with Parliament police station and Safaricom Mobile Service Provider of the alleged interference of the personal data leading to loss of money from their accounts.

In one of the complaints lodged with police by Toroitich, he claims that he fell victim to a simcard swapping syndicate that left his accounts dry on the night of April 12.

Account compromised

He claims that on the fateful night, his Safaricom line suddenly lost its network as from 5pm.

According to the MP, he thought it was normal network failure and when the condition persisted, he asked his personal assistant to call his number to find out if the call could go through.

However, to his surprise the call went through and was answered by another person.This prompted him to call Safaricom customer care and he was informed that his line was simswapped at 5:17pm.

The MP who is also an advocate, later called two banks where his accounts are domiciled, namely National Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank to confirm whether his bank account had been compromised.

The response received from KCB was that someone got access to his account and transferred a sum of Sh617,567 to a bank account and various Safaricom numbers.

On April 13, 2023, the MP visited his branch at Kipande House where he obtained a customer statement and later reported the matter at Parliament Police Station.

After denying the charges, the DPP through State counsel Anderson Gikunda, informed the magistrate they intend to oppose the release of the suspect on bond pending hearing and determination of the fraud cases.

Gikunda told the court that Kirui is a regular visitor at the courts since he has other pending criminal cases.

Magistrate Onyina ordered that the accused be detained until Wednesday May 10, when his bail application will be canvassed.