Eight suspects arrested over their alleged involvement in a sophisticated SIM card swap syndicate have been arraigned in the Marsabit Law Courts. The group is accused of stealing over KSh 1.2 million from an M-Pesa agent within Marsabit Town.
The suspects identified as Jane Mueni Kimanti, Alex Syuma Kitungui, Pius Mwendwa, Josephine Kasiva Kimotho, Emily Mwende Mwinzi, Patrick Vundi Kasyoki, Evans Mbweli Nduku, and Benrodgers Kyalo did not take a plea after the prosecution filed an urgent application seeking to detain them for 14 days to allow detectives to complete investigations.
Senior Resident Magistrate Edward Oboge granted the application, allowing police to hold the eight individuals as detectives probe cases of conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing, under Sections 393 and 268(1) of the Penal Code respectively.
The court heard that the offenses took place between July 2 and July 3, 2026. This followed a formal report made by two complainants at the Marsabit Police Station, who stated that individuals posing as regular M-Pesa customers visited their shops and swapped their Safaricom SIM cards. The fraudsters then executed multiple unauthorized online transactions, transferring a total of KSh 1,272,987.34 to various M-Pesa Paybill and Till numbers.
Following a tip-off, detectives intercepted the suspects at the Merille Barrier in Marsabit South while they were traveling in a white Toyota Probox, registration number KDN 708Q.
According to preliminary police investigations, the suspects are believed to be part of a wider, organized criminal network. The syndicate specializes in posing as customers to swap victims’ SIM cards, which they then use to unlawfully access mobile money wallets and linked bank accounts to siphon funds.
The suspects are scheduled to be brought back to court upon the expiration of the 14-day detention period.
