The recent abduction of former Kamacharia Member of County Assembly (MCA) Joseph Machiri is now believed to be linked to a Ksh. 1.5 billion bank heist. Investigators are looking into how Machiri’s son, a bank manager at a local financial institution, allegedly used his credentials to execute fraudulent transfers while on medical leave.
The bank fraud case gained attention after armed men forcibly entered Machiri’s home in Thogoto, Kiambu County, on Sunday and took him away. At the same time, another group of heavily armed men was caught on CCTV breaking into Machiri’s father’s home in Mathioya, Murang’a County, searching for unspecified items.
CCTV footage from Sunday night shows a white car arriving at Machiri’s father’s residence, followed by three men approaching the vehicle. Shortly after, six masked, armed men stormed the property. The intruders, carrying rifles and a detector, disabled the power supply after discovering the security cameras installed by the former MCA.
Claiming to be police officers, they conducted a thorough search of the house, where Machiri was with his wife and grandchildren, moving from room to room. Despite their efforts, they found nothing and ultimately took Machiri with them, forcing him to kneel in front of his family before leaving.
Machiri’s brother, Kenneth Mwangi, described how he heard the commotion and stepped outside to investigate, only to encounter the armed men who identified themselves as police officers. The family was left shaken as the men departed with Machiri after a lengthy search.
Joseph Machiri was abducted about 12 hours after his son, David Machiri, was taken by individuals believed to be security officers in Thogoto, Kiambu County. David, who had been previously arrested and charged with defrauding a local bank of Ksh. 1.5 billion, was released on bail despite the prosecution’s request for extended detention.
As the case nears its hearing date, David’s father has been named a person of interest, further complicating the family’s situation. Their lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, has urged authorities, including Acting Inspector General and Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kindiki, to provide information regarding the whereabouts of both father and son.
Joseph Machiri was eventually released by his abductors more than 24 hours later and left on a roadside. However, his son David’s whereabouts remain unknown, leaving the family in a state of distress and uncertainty.
