A construction foreman was robbed of Ksh 307,000 moments after withdrawing the cash from Diamond Trust Bank’s (DTB) Kitengela branch on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Police are investigating how the robbers managed to track the victim, raising serious questions about security and possible insider involvement at the bank.
Here’s what happened:
- The foreman, tasked with paying workers at a site in Kimalati, visited the DTB Kitengela branch to withdraw Ksh 307,000.
- He got into his car and began driving to the construction site, unaware he was being followed.
- On the way, two men dressed in traffic police uniforms flagged him down.
- They accused him of a traffic offense and asked him to accompany them to a nearby police station.
- A third man, dressed in civilian clothes, joined the fake officers and boarded the victim’s car.
- The victim, believing they were legitimate officers, complied.
- Another vehicle, believed to be connected to the suspects, followed closely behind.
The Robbery:
- While en route, the men turned violent and hijacked the vehicle.
- They drove the victim more than 50 kilometers away to Old Kiambu Road.
- There, they dumped him and took the car keys, leaving him stranded and shaken.
- The robbers fled with the entire Ksh 307,000 cash he had withdrawn earlier from DTB.
- The victim eventually made it to Muthaiga Police Station to report the incident.
15 Workers Left Unpaid
- The foreman was carrying the cash to pay 15 casual laborers on site.
- After the robbery, the workers were left without their weekend wages.
- This has disrupted work at the construction site and left many families uncertain about their next meal.
Growing Pattern of Targeted Bank Withdrawals
This is not an isolated case. Police confirm a worrying pattern in Kitengela:
- Just a few months ago, another businessman was robbed of Ksh 1.8 million after withdrawing money from a different bank in the area.
- In both cases, victims were attacked within a short time of leaving the bank premises.
- Detectives are probing whether criminals are being tipped off by bank insiders or if victims are being tracked using sophisticated tools.
Why Is DTB Not Talking?
- DTB has not released any statement about the incident.
- Security protocols inside and around the bank remain unclear.
- Are customers safe after withdrawing large sums of money from this branch?
- Was the foreman followed directly from inside the bank?
These are questions DTB must answer.
You Could Be Next
- Would you feel safe withdrawing over Ksh 300,000 from DTB or any other bank in Kitengela?
- What measures has your bank taken to ensure your safety after large withdrawals?
- Are banks in Kenya doing enough to protect customers from these growing threats?
What Needs to Happen
- DTB and other banks must review how they handle large cash withdrawals.
- Surveillance footage should be audited immediately.
- Banks should provide escorted withdrawal services for clients withdrawing large amounts.
- Law enforcement must crack down on rogue networks that appear to operate freely across Kitengela and Nairobi.
- The Banking Fraud Investigations Department must audit bank staff for possible collusion.
Authorities Must Act
- Kitengela and Nairobi police are working on the case, but there’s rising frustration among victims.
- Businesspeople now fear withdrawing even their own money.
- How many more people must be robbed before concrete action is taken?
This robbery is a wake-up call. It exposes gaps in bank security, police oversight, and customer protection.
Diamond Trust Bank cannot stay silent.
Customers need safety—not just smiles at the counter.
Will DTB take responsibility?
Or will more Kenyans be left stranded, broke, and bleeding by the roadside?