A businessman from Kitengela, Kajiado County, is counting heavy losses after unknown suspects broke into his car and stole Sh1.8 million that he had withdrawn from a local bank on January 10. The incident occurred moments after the 47-year-old businessman made the withdrawal and placed the cash in his Toyota Harrier car.
According to the victim, after withdrawing the money, he drove to the Isinya area for a development project and then stopped at a popular hotel along Namanga Road for a late lunch. He parked his car at the hotel entrance and entered the restaurant.
While attending to a phone call outside the hotel, the businessman discovered his car’s window had been smashed and the cash, which was left on the backseat, was missing. Initial investigations by the police, supported by CCTV footage, revealed that two suspects, traveling in a different vehicle, had been monitoring the scene. The footage showed the culprits breaking into the car, removing the cash, and leaving swiftly.
Police suspect the victim was trailed from the bank to the hotel, with the perpetrators possibly having insider information. According to police, incidents of this nature are often linked to criminals who pose as customers within bank premises, watching for individuals who make large withdrawals. The authorities have urged individuals withdrawing substantial sums of money to take precautions and, if necessary, seek police assistance for added security.
No arrests or recoveries have been made at the time of writing, and police continue to investigate the matter. This incident highlights the growing trend of crime linked to banking transactions, prompting police to advise the public on the risks involved when handling large sums of cash.
In a separate case in Nairobi’s Parklands area, a family lost valuables worth Sh8 million, including jewelry, cash, and electronics, in a burglary. Authorities are investigating the crime, which they believe was carried out by individuals with prior knowledge of the family’s possessions. A hunt for the suspects is ongoing.
