Absa Bank Kenya has increasingly found itself at the center of criticism as fraud cases within the banking sector continue to grow. Digital banking has made transactions easier, but it has also exposed many customers to new risks, leaving them vulnerable to cybercriminals who exploit loopholes in security systems.
Reports show that Absa recovered 227 million shillings from fraud in the last financial year but still lost 255 million, an indication that scammers remain one step ahead.
These figures are alarming because they reveal the scale of money being siphoned from customers, often without timely intervention by the bank.
One of the cases that highlighted Absa’s weaknesses involved an elderly woman whose account was drained of nearly 600,000 shillings in just one day.
Despite noticing the withdrawals early and reporting them to the bank immediately, she was told nothing could be done because the money had already been taken. Her family even went to the branch to file a written complaint, but staff refused to accept it as an official report.
This kind of response raises concerns about Absa’s customer protection measures and whether the bank truly prioritizes safeguarding its clients, especially older and less tech-savvy individuals who rely on trust in their institutions.
This was not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, another customer lost 40,000 shillings through ATM card fraud after scammers cloned the card. Absa was criticized for its slow response and lack of strong security features to prevent such schemes.
To make matters worse, court records from May 2025 showed a lawsuit filed against Absa over fraudulent transactions, with the customer accusing the bank of failing to detect suspicious activity.
These repeated cases suggest that the institution has not invested enough in fraud prevention systems and continues to leave customers exposed to financial losses.The issue goes beyond individuals and touches on the broader economy.
In Kenya, many people save for years to cover education, healthcare, and family needs. Losing such savings overnight can be devastating. The Eldoret case, for instance, shows how quickly years of hard work can be wiped out, pushing families into financial strain.
Absa has been quick to remind customers not to share PINs or one-time passwords, but this focus on blaming victims rather than improving internal systems has only fueled public frustration.
Kenya’s Central Bank has been urged to impose stricter rules, including mandatory fraud detection systems and guaranteed reimbursements for victims. Experts also recommend better safeguards such as biometric logins, stricter limits for elderly customers, and closer cooperation with telecom companies to block suspicious activity before money is lost.
As more people turn to online banking, the responsibility falls on institutions like Absa to ensure that the platforms they promote are safe.
So far, the evidence points to repeated lapses, delayed responses, and a lack of accountability. Unless stronger measures are put in place, Absa risks losing not only billions in fraud but also the confidence of ordinary Kenyans who depend on the bank to protect their savings.
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