MYSTERY DEEPENS OVER LOSS OF SH 140M

The mystery over the theft of Sh140 million in Southern Sudan deepened yesterday when the country said it had no clue the car carrying the money was intercepted by a gang as reported by Kenya Commercial Bank.

The Southern Sudan liaison officer to Kenya, Mr John Andruga, said his government did not know how the money was lost, in one of the biggest heists involving a Kenyan bank.

Speaking to the Nation from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, where he had gone to receive former Southern Sudan President John Garang’s widow, Rebecca, Mr Andruga said: “The circumstances are still under investigations but there’s no evidence indicating gangsters intercepted the car transporting the money from Juba Airport.”

On Wednesday, KCB’s head of corporate affairs, Mr Kepha Bosire, said the vehicle carrying the cash from Juba airport was intercepted by robbers, who snatched one bag containing $2 million, leaving behind another with $1 million.

Earlier reports had indicated that the money was lost as it was being ferried from the airport to the bank.

Yesterday, Mr Andruga denied saying that the money got lost while in transit from JKIA to Juba.

Two Kenyans working with KCB in Juba and a Sudanese national are being held by police in Juba over the loss which occurred more than a week ago.

Mr Andruga said the two Kenyans, who are senior employees of the bank were being held “for the purpose of assisting with investigations”.

KCB has a total of eight Kenyan employees in its Juba subsidiary.

Mr Andruga said the two Kenyans held in Juba were being well taken care of and that friends, relatives and other people wishing to visit them in Juba were free to do so.

“Investigations are still on,” he added.

The official said his government had taken necessary steps to hasten the investigations and conclude the matter.

High prospects

KCB officials who spoke to the Nation said the investigations were proceeding well.

Mr Bosire said KCB operations in Southern Sudan were continuing despite the theft and assured clients that they had no reason to worry.

The Southern Sudan market had high prospects for KCB and the Juba subsidiary had outshone some of the older branches, said Mr Bosire.

KCB (Sudan) Ltd was incorporated in December 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenya Commercial Bank and became part of the KCB Group, which comprises KCB Kenya, KCB Tanzania and Savings and Loan (S&L) Kenya.


SOURCE: DAILY NATION