The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has responded to allegations of a woman whose case was ‘mishandled’ by Kasarani-based detectives.
In a statement on social media, the investigative agency announced that DCI’s Nairobi Region Coordinator was directed to look into the matter.
It all began when the complainant, Irene Waithera who works in Saudi Arabia, allegedly sent money to an unintended person.
“Irene Waithera Maina, while in Saudia Arabia wanted to send some money to her sister back in Kenya, thus went to the bank where she left a total of KSh 413,000 and her sister’s details with the teller,” read part of the statement.
Waithera was reportedly instructed to wait for a three-day window for her sister to receive the money.
The three day-window however lapsed and her sister stated that she had not received the money. Apparently the bank had sent the money to one William Otieno.
Attempts to reverse the transaction did not produce the desired results, as the bank only recovered KSh171,000. The balance of KSh272,000 had already been withdrawn by the wrong recipient.
Panicked, Waithera boarded a flight to Kenya to chase the money. She reported the matter to Kasarani based detectives.
“Two detectives were assigned the case where they launched investigations into, “Intentionally Withholding Payment Delivered Erroneously Contrary to Section 35 of Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act no. 5 of 2018,” read part of the statement.
Willis Otieno was traced to Bande area at the Kenya-Tanzania border during last year’s Christmas season. He reportedly relocated to Likoni, Mombasa.
On January 13, 2024 he was apprehended and booked at Inuka Police Station in Likoni. He was arraigned within 24 hours and released on KSh22,000 cash bail.
The suspect reportedly switched off his phone. The sleuths managed to rearrest him a month later (February 20) within Mombasa County.
Two days later he was arraigned at Makadara Law Courts where he was charged and granted bail of KSh200,000 with a surety of KSh400,000.
The case will be mentioned on June 18, 2024 and subsequent hearing to take place on October 24, 2024.
Owing to the allegations raised by Waithera, the investigating officers will also be questioned to establish whether they mishandled the matter.
