Financial institutions have in the recent past fallen victim to criminals. Kenyan banks have suffered their fair share of bold, daring and sometimes comical heists and much of this has been blamed foe security lapses or inside jobs. Here is a list of the biggest bank heists that captured the country’s attention.
1.The Sh72 Million Nairobi West Heist
Six G4S employees were recently arraigned in court over links to the stolen sh72 million at a Standard Chartered Bank ATM in Nairobi West. The criminals robbed the G4S personnel of the cash intended for the ATM without firing a single round. When they arrived at the ATM, the G4Steam called the headquarters for the password to reload ca sh into the machine.It was then that the gangsters turned on them , confiscated their phones before offloading the cash into a vehicle and fleeing.
2. Thika’s Sh52 Million KCB Bank Hole Heist
In December 2017, two brothers and a friend were arraigned in a Thika Court following their daring hole heist of more than Sh52 million at Thika KCB bank branch in the preceding month. The alleged thieves planned the robbery for many months and in secrecy. By the time the bank realised that some cash was missing, the burglars had carted away Sh52.6 million and other foreign-denominated currencies. The suspects are said to have directed the police to Juja, where the money was recovered.
3. Sh42 Million Stolen At Moyale Airstrip
Two gunmen last week seized about Sh42 million at a Moyale airstrip. The aircraft landed at Odha Airstrip at 1pm on Wednesday, with a pilot, co-pilot and private security official escorting the consignment, which included new Sh1,000 notes for a local Equity Bank branch. The Wells Fargo cash collection vehicle and armed police officers that routinely wait for arrival of the plane whenever cash is brought in had not arrived. The aircraft crew waited for 20 minutes only to be confronted by two men, one armed with a rifle.
4. I&M Bank Changamwe’s Sh40 Million Heist
In 2014, Police investigators ‘ revealed that more than Sh40 million ‘ was looted during a weekend night robbery at l&M Bank branch in Changamwe Road, Industrial Area, apparently, burglars broke the back door and stole the money. Area police chief Nehemiah Lagat k confirmed that two guards had been L arrested and charged in Court for k collusion in a criminal act.
5. Equity Bank,Othaya Sh30 Million Heist
In October 2015, three men posing as auditors stole Sh30 million from Equity bank, Othaya branch, Nyeri. The only weapon they used during the morning incident was a kitchen knife that they held on the branch’s deputy manager’s neck as they ordered him to unlock the cash vault. They posed as auditors sent from Equity bank head office in Nairobi to inspect the books at the branch. Police sources said the three men reportedly gained access through the rear entrance after displaying fake identification cards.
6. Kayole’s Equity Bank Heist
In 2016, a loner pulled out one of the most daring heists in recent memory after stealing around Sh27 million. He drilled a hole into a wall shared by Equity Bank Kayole and the rented house where he lived, making away with money kept in two huge safes. The man, who detectives believe colluded with bank staff to plan the Saturday night theft, went under after the heist. Reportedly the Bank’s ATM signal was down for the better part of the day according to the Bank ICT Department.
7. Sh20 Million Family Bank Heist,Ruiru
In June 2018, Family Bank, Ruiru reported it had Lost Sh20 million after a break-in. The alarm system had been tampered with. Thieves had broken into the bank during at an unknown time in the night through the rooftop. They used welding gas and claw bars to access the strongroom and the branch’s ATM machine. A gas cylinder and four claw bars were recovered at the scene.
8. Sh11.6M Barclays ATMS Robberies
In April 2019, Barclays Bank Kenya confirmed that four of their ATMs in Nairobi were tampered with. In a span of three days, a total of Sh11.6 million was stolen from several Barclays ATMs in what appeared to be an organised theft ring. Sh4.3 million was stolen from KNH ATM and Sh1 million was stolen at Mater Hospital while at Mutindwa in Eastlands, Sh6.29 million was reported missing.
9 Sh1.5 million Kitui Robbery
In June this year, a gang of robbers made away with Sh1.5 million at Financial Services Association Bank in Itoleka, Kitui County. The bank’s night guard
10. Equity’s Sh873,280 Karatina Robbery
In April this year, a gang of five robbers walked into Equity Bank Karatina I in Nyeri and stole Sh873,280. interestingly the bank which is fitted with CCTV cameras did not capture anything and on
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