Suspect Arraigned Over Sh11.4 Million Cyber Heist Targeting Microfinance Firm

Updated October 9, 2026: The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Seth Mwabe Okwanyo, also known in its statement as Seth Onyango Odhiambo, pleaded not guilty to 20 charges in an alleged cyber-fraud case involving KSh11.4 million. The DCI listed March 3, 2026 as the next mention date in its original report; that date has passed, and the cited statement does not provide a later court outcome.

What investigators alleged

The DCI said the case concerned 38 transactions on July 16, 2025, with a reported total loss of KSh11,410,165 at a microfinance institution. Investigators alleged that the transactions appeared successful to recipients but were missing from the institution’s internal records. The DCI also alleged that system logs had been erased and an unauthorised Java application was used to manipulate the system.

These are allegations in an investigation, not findings made by a court. The DCI’s public account did not name the institution.

Charges and bail reported by the DCI

The DCI said Okwanyo faced 20 counts, including unauthorised access to a computer system, computer fraud and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty. The agency reported that the court granted a bond of KSh1.5 million or an alternative cash bail of KSh500,000.

Court status

The DCI’s initial report scheduled a mention for March 3, 2026, but did not state what happened at that appearance. This article does not have a verified later ruling or verdict to report. A charge and a not-guilty plea do not establish guilt; responsibility is for the court to determine through the proceedings.

Why the reported system controls matter

For a financial institution, transaction records and system logs help staff reconcile payments and investigate suspected irregularities. Customers can help detect account problems by checking statements and reporting transactions they do not recognise promptly through their provider’s official channels. The DCI has not said that this case involved ordinary customers’ accounts or advised customers to take any specific security action beyond normal account monitoring.

Source

Directorate of Criminal Investigations: Suspect arraigned over alleged KSh11.4 million cyber heist.