Officers at the Machakos Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Thursday arrested two suspects in a crackdown of fraudulent Mpesa transactions in the county.
Among those in custody is 21-year-old Benard Kibet, who was caught shortly after he made away with Sh45,000 from Redempter Mutheu, a Mpesa attendant.
According to the DCI, Kibet was arrested alongside his accomplice, Justus Kirui, aged 30, as they tried to flee the scene using a Toyota probox with registration number KCK 692M.
The duo hail from Kericho County and are suspected to have been defrauding Mpesa shop operators in Machakos by posing as genuine customers.
On the fateful day, Kibet had visited Ms. Mutheu's shop seeking to have money withdrawn by a friend who was away from the Mpesa shop.
He informed the attendant that they would withdraw Sh45,000 but only half of the money was available at the time.
The scheme proceeded with Kibet claiming that they had transacted Sh45,000 from the Mpesa agent.
She only gave the 21-year-old a total of Sh22,000.
As she sought to find the remaining amount, Kibet acted as if he was on a phone call before hopping into the vehicle and quickly speeding off.
"Kirui and Kibet were arrested from the said motor vehicle but one managed to escape.
They were escorted to Machakos police station.
The two suspects are believed to be behind the Mpesa fraud syndicate within the country.
"They are being processed and will appear before court tomorrow," the DCI announced in a statement on Thursday.
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