Senator Mithika Linturi's account was once linked to millions stolen from bank

Senator Linturi's account linked to millions stolen from bank

Mumbi Mutuko

12 September 2019 08:35 AM

Shocking puzzle

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi

An account linked to Meru Senator Mithika Linturi was linked to money that was stolen from a bank seven years ago.

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According to the Nation, Ksh13.5 million was lost during the heist at the Co-operative Bank’s branch in Makutano Junction, Meru County.

Two employees of the bank were arrested, charged and served time over the money and another one was acquitted.

Ms Harriet Kanorio, Mr Wilson Wanjohi and Mr Ensume Muriungi Mithika were the suspects arrested after the investigations by DCI.

Senator's account linked to millions stolen from bank Pulse Live Kenya

Money stolen from ATM

Senator Linturi is said to have used a parcel of land in Meru County, valued at Ksh3.3 million as a bond to secure the release of Mr Muriungi Mithika after they were charged.

Only Ms Konorio and Mr Wanjohi were charged and directed to pay a Ksh1 million fine or spend 15 months in jail.

The stolen money is said to have been taken from an ATM in the branch’s computer room, whose door only the systems administrator had keys to.

Senator Linturi told detectives that he deposited Ksh8.6 million in his account after selling a piece of land in Machakos.

Convicted

He did not indicate who the land was sold to adding that he had received the money from Gikunda & Company Advocates who acted for the buyer.

Linturi claimed to have received Ksh18 million as a down payment and that he was still expecting a Ksh42 million balance.

Senator's account linked to millions stolen from bank Pulse Live Kenya

The Meru Senator admitted that he knew Mr Mithika saying he had campaigned for him during the 2007 Igembe South parliamentary polls but they were not related.

Chief Magistrate H. N. Ndung’u acquitted Mr Mithika but found Ms Kanorio and Mr Wanjohi guilty of the robbery although her lawyer Victor Olao, took issue with the conviction since her keys were still locked in a drawer.