NAIROBI, Kenya — A suspected cybercriminal has been arraigned in court over an alleged sophisticated digital fraud scheme that cost a local bank and a Sacco more than Sh52 million.
In a statement released Thursday evening, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the accused, Albert Komen Kipkechem, was charged with accessing with the intent to commit a further offence and computer fraud.
According to investigators, Kipkechem—also known as Jonathan Kiptum Barmasai—is believed to be behind two cyber incidents reported in June 2025 that targeted a payment service provider, a local bank, and a savings and credit cooperative organisation.
The DCI said the attacks resulted in the institutions losing more than Sh52 million through unauthorised digital transactions.
“Albert Komen Kipkechem alias Jonathan Kiptum Barmasai is the main suspect behind two incidents affecting a payment service provider, a local bank, and a SACCO, where the institutions lost over fifty-two (52) million shillings in June 2025,” the DCI said.
The case was reported to detectives attached to the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit working within the Cyber Fusion Unit at the Central Bank of Kenya.
Investigators said they immediately launched a forensic probe involving specialists from the National Forensic Laboratory and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
According to the DCI, the probe established that the suspect allegedly used remote access software to infiltrate digital systems used by the payment service provider and the affected bank.
Detectives say the suspect was able to gain unauthorised access to payment platforms and banking information systems before executing transactions outside the normal payment flow.
“It was established that the suspect used remote access software to gain unauthorized access to the payment platform and bank information systems and effected unauthorized transactions that did not follow the normal payment flow before the fraud was eventually detected,” the DCI said.
Following the findings, detectives obtained court orders and traced the suspect to Thome in Nairobi County, where he was arrested.
Investigators later escorted him to his residence in Nakuru, where officers recovered several items believed to be linked to the alleged fraud.
The items included electronic devices, a money-counting machine, cash in Kenyan currency, assorted SIM cards, and ATM cards registered under other individuals’ names.
Detectives also recovered fraudulently registered identity cards and a Congolese passport bearing Kipkechem’s photograph but registered under the name Katempa Ngoy Alexisa, alongside a Congolese identity card bearing the same name.
Authorities believe the documents may have been used to facilitate cybercrime activities.
After the search, the suspect was returned to Nairobi, where he was processed and later presented before a court.
Kipkechem pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded at Capitol Hill Police Station until March 12, 2026, when the court will issue directions on his bail and bond terms.
The case comes amid growing concern over cyber-enabled financial crime targeting Kenya’s banking and cooperative sectors.
The development also follows the recent arrest of a former Sacco accountant accused of masterminding a separate fraudulent scheme that caused losses exceeding Sh16 million.
According to the DCI, the suspect, identified as Amos Fikiri Ruwa, allegedly authorised cheque transactions using members’ accounts in collaboration with external accomplices.
Detectives said the scheme initially resulted in a loss of Sh6,852,166 before additional fraudulent transactions totalling Sh9,161,000 were executed, bringing the total loss to Sh16,013,166.
Authorities say investigations into both cases are ongoing as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to combat financial fraud and cybercrime in the country.
