Six men have been arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts over a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy involving online fraud, cyber-enabled theft of millions of shillings, and alleged links to terrorist financing.
The suspects Fortune Muthina Kinyanzui, Ruel Kipkoech Yator, Kelvin Kipyegeon Koech, Laban Kipkirui Koech, Alfonce Kipkorir Towett, and Weldon Kipyegon Rono all Kenyan nationals, face multiple counts under the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act, the Penal Code, and the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
According to charge sheets filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the six are accused of orchestrating a highly coordinated digital fraud network targeting individuals and financial institutions using encrypted communication tools and cloned mobile platforms.
Cyber Scheme and Terror Links
In the second count, the suspects are accused of arranging meetings in support of a terrorist group, contrary to Section 25 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012. They allegedly used encrypted platforms such as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Zen Space, IR Remote, Cyber Ghost, Clone Phone, and Fit-Bit to plan meetings aimed at furthering terrorist activities both within and outside the country.
Investigators believe the suspects leveraged these platforms to evade surveillance while coordinating financial fraud and other unlawful activities.
Digital Theft Charges
The court heard that on or before April 17, 2025, the six conspired to steal KSh 1,586,000 from Absa Bank accounts belonging to Nancy Wanjiru Maina. The suspects are said to have falsely claimed they could extend the validity of the victim’s debit cards until 2029 to facilitate unauthorized withdrawals.
In an alternative charge, the suspects are accused of stealing the money outright, having obtained access to account numbers 075095458 and 0756433504 by deceit.
A further charge alleges that between May 17 and May 20, 2025, the same individuals conspired to steal KSh 988,366.15 from a Kenya Commercial Bank account belonging to Sally Limo Lagatt, domiciled at the Nakuru Flamingo Branch. They allegedly executed the theft through digital banking manipulation.
