Two different court cases in Nairobi have drawn public attention after suspects linked to major financial fraud were released on bail pending trial.
The first involves two employees of Equity Bank Kenya Limited, while the second centers on a man accused of defrauding a high-end hotel of over five million shillings.
In the case involving Equity Bank, two employees, Elijah Ndungu Gachanja and Kevin Omato Manwa, were released on bail after being charged with stealing Sh4 million from the bank. Gachanja, who worked as a Relationship Officer Operations, and Manwa, a Relationship Supervisor Customer Service, appeared before Principal Magistrate Rose Ndubi.
The two are accused of conspiring to commit a felony and stealing by a servant. According to the charge sheet, the pair allegedly conspired to steal the funds on or before November 3, 2025, from the bank’s Westlands Branch, where the money was discovered missing.
Investigations revealed that the cash was under their control due to their employment at the Githurai Branch of Equity Bank.
During the bail hearing, their lawyers pleaded with the court for lenient bail terms, arguing that both accused individuals had fixed residences and were willing to comply with court directions.
The defence also stated that the suspects’ rights had been violated because they were held in custody for more than 72 hours before being taken to court, contrary to the constitutional requirement.
It was further revealed that their employment with the bank had not yet been terminated, which suggests that the case may have caused discomfort within the institution.
The prosecution did not object to the bail request but urged the court to strike a fair balance between protecting the rights of the accused and the interests of the complainant, which in this case is the bank.
Magistrate Ndubi granted each accused person a bond of Sh1 million or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000.
The matter will return to court on November 28 for a pre-trial hearing as investigations continue to determine how the funds were allegedly diverted.
In a separate but equally striking case, the same court also granted bail to a man accused of defrauding a luxury hotel of millions.
The accused, identified as Kelvin Obondo Odhiambo, who also goes by the name Hon. Nyalik Oselu, was charged with obtaining accommodation and other services at Gem Suites Hotel in Nairobi without paying.
According to the charge sheet, between November 28, 2024, and March 3, 2025, Odhiambo incurred debts amounting to Sh3.12 million for accommodation alone.
He is also said to have consumed food, drinks, and other services worth Sh2.413 million, bringing the total to Sh5.533 million.
Prosecutors told the court that Odhiambo falsely represented himself as a person of means and led the hotel management to believe he could settle his bills, knowing very well that he could not.
The court granted him a bond of Sh1 million or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000, with the next mention date set for November 19 for pre-trial proceedings.
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