Kisii University student among two suspected of robbing M-Pesa agent Ksh.1.7M in Nakuru

Detectives in Nakuru are searching for a Kisii University student suspected of robbing a mobile money agent of Ksh.1.7 million.

The student is one of two suspects, alongside a close relative to the owner of the shop, who were caught on CCTV camera assaulting a mobile money agent before taking off with the cash.

The CCTV footage shows the agent walking out of the business precincts on Saturday, November 5, about five minutes past 8am, with a backpack he says was loaded with cash amounting to Ksh.4.7 million; money from sales made the previous day, that he deposited in a bank.

Less than a minute later, the prime suspect in the robbery case, donning a black jumper and a red cap, is seen casually walking into the building.

Less than 2 minutes after the employee stepped out, the prime suspect in black and his accomplice donning a grey jumper and red cap converse before leaving the building.

At 8: 50am, within the shop, CCTV cameras show the mobile money employee having returned to his workplace.

The prime suspect, a relative to the owner of the mobile money shop, resurfaces and the employee - who says the suspect frequents the place - opens the door for him.

He sits in the waiting lounge; a closer look at the clip shows the man fidgeting, perhaps nervous, as he looks around and spots the CCTV cameras.

A customer walks in and out of the shop and the prime suspect is captured locking the door of the shop; he seems restless and engages the employee, requesting the Wi-Fi password.

The man in a black jumper then opens the door, letting in his accomplice who walks straight towards the counter, close to the employee.

At 8:56am, one of the CCTV cameras captures the second suspect in a grey jumper and a red cap drawing a gun from his bag before ordering the employee to lie on the floor.

The prime suspect then gets duct tape from his sling bag and ties the victim's feet, hands, and mouth before rushing to the counter section to take money from the counter into his bag.

The second suspect appears to act as the lookout. The prime suspect dashes to a separate room in the shop, in what the owner suspects was a failed attempt to take off with the memory card to the CCTV cameras.

The suspects engaged the employee for about 7 minutes before they left the shop, leaving the victim duct-taped.

He then struggles to get the duct tape off his feet and hands and grabs his phone frantically searching for his employer’s contact.

The owner of the mobile money shop reported losing Ksh.1.7 million; a matter that was taken up by Central Police Station officers in Nakuru.

The mastermind, a Kisii University Student, is a close relative of the owner of the shop. He is yet to be apprehended.

Police tracked his phone, which revealed his location as Isibania, on the Kenya-Tanzania border.

Nakuru has seen a surge in cases of robbery with violence in recent months, prompting security teams to increase efforts to restore security.

Nakuru Police Commander Peter Mwanzo said: “There are one or two issues isolated here and there, they still keep on coming…we want to develop a clean sheet and we have increased patrol and surveillance.”

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, on her part, stated: “We are aware incidences of insecurity are probably on the rise, and given the economic situation we are anticipating we might have a difficult season if we are not alive to that, that was part of our big agenda here.”

For now, Nakuru residents continue to implore security agencies to maintain vigilance.