5 Multi-million Cash-in-Transit Heists Which Made Headlines in Kenya

Kenyans were on Tuesday 6 November 2023 left in awe after news of a Sh94 million cash-in-transit heist hit the local headlines. 

Local media outlets reported that two employees of the Wells Fargo security firm had gone missing after picking Sh94 million from the company's vault.

The two; Daniel Mungai and Anthony Nduiki left without police escort. They were scheduled to transport the money to a local bank but disappeared before getting to their destination.

Police have launched investigations into the matter.

The case is one of many cash-in-transit heists reported in the country. In this article, we outline four heists that made headlines in the country:

Sh300 Million Mombasa Heist

This is arguably one of the biggest heists in Kenya. It happened in February 2010 when a cash-in-transit van reportedly sped off and ditched its security escort after collecting approximately Sh300 million.

An investigation was launched and over 80 million of the cash was recovered when one of the suspects tried purchasing a Sh63 million house in Mombasa on cash. Sh 17 million was recovered stashed in the suspect's Kitengela house.

File image of a Wells Fargo van. Two of the company's employees disappeared with Ksh94 million. [Photo: Courtesy]

Sh72 Million Nairobi West Heist

It happened in September 2019. In this case, robbers masquerading as police officers stole Sh72 million that was being transported to Standard Chartered bank in Nairobi West area.

The cash was being transported from G4S headquarters in Industrial Area to Standard Chartered's branch in Nairobi West branch area.

Six G4S employees were arrested and arraigned in court over the heist.

Sh22 Million Heist

In November 2009, an Administration Police (AP) officer and a driver attached to the G4S security company made away with Sh22 million. The duo stole the cash as it was at Wilson Airport, where it was set to be taken to Juba, South Sudan.

G4S Staffer hands Sh83 Million to a Stranger

In July 2011, a senior G4S official named Julius Maguncho Baganka made headlines in the country after he handed over approximately Sh83 million to a 'stranger'.

The money was being transported from a Barclays Bank branch in Kisumu to Nairobi. Interestingly, when the official landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he handed over the cash to an unknown person who went missing with it.

Baganka was later arrested and charged. The court granted him a Sh3 million bond.