DNK International By Alphonce Mungahu,Milimani Court.
A Nairobi court has allowed the DCI to continue holding two suspects for five days to complete investigations into an alleged SIM-swap syndicate linked to a Sh17.5 million financial loss.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Githu Kibiru granted the detention request against Sytum Tochachi Bome and Ronald Langat, who are being investigated over alleged stealing, forgery, impersonation, computer fraud and unauthorised access to personal data.
The DCI alleges that the two are part of an organised criminal syndicate involved in fraudulently swapping Safaricom customers’ SIM cards before accessing their M-Pesa and linked bank accounts.
Investigators have linked the suspects to the alleged SIM swap of Dorice Achieng Omolo’s number after she travelled to London.
The DCI says the suspects subsequently accessed her UN DT Sacco account and allegedly withdrew Sh7.505 million, before obtaining an additional Sh10 million loan, bringing the amount under investigation to about Sh17.5 million.
Police further allege that the syndicate targeted vulnerable account holders, including deceased persons whose mobile money and bank accounts were believed to contain substantial funds.
The investigation has also opened a possible JKIA insider angle, with detectives pursuing individuals suspected of providing the syndicate with personal information about people travelling outside the country.
Police also recovered 13 Kenyan identity cards from the suspects, together with five airline tickets and mobile phones allegedly containing messages relating to withdrawals from Omolo’s account.
The DCI wants the identity cards subjected to verification and fingerprint examination to establish their legitimate owners.
The airline tickets are also being investigated to establish their owners and whether any could belong to victims of SIM-swap or related financial crimes.
Detectives are further pursuing CCTV footage from Two Rivers Mall, where investigators allege the SIM swap involving Omolo was conducted.
The DCI says one suspect is believed to be the registered owner of a Mazda CX-5, registration KDR 293F, which was captured on CCTV at the mall.
More than 15 victims and key witnesses are yet to record statements, while the suspects’ phones are pending forensic analysis at the DCI cybercrime laboratory.
The court heard that investigations are still ongoing to identify additional suspects, trace alleged proceeds of crime and establish the full extent of the suspected criminal network.
“Investigations are ongoing to identify additional suspects, trace proceeds of crime, recover funds, and establish the full extent of the criminal enterprise,” the investigating officer said.
Police opposed the suspects’ release, arguing that they could interfere with witnesses, alert accomplices or compromise crucial banking and telecommunications evidence.
The two suspects will remain at Gigiri Police Station as detectives pursue the outstanding investigations.
[Daily News Kenya-International@October 6,2026]
