The Kisii NCBA Branch Operational Manager has been charged with the alleged theft of Ksh52 million.
In a statement, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) noted that Philip Rotich Kiprono, operations manager at NCBA's Kisii branch, faces 134 criminal charges related to the massive financial fraud.
Kiprono appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Benard Obae Omwansa at the Kisii court and pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.
The prosecution alleges that he fraudulently obtained Ksh52,404,084.95 from the bank from December 13, 2022, to October 10, 2024.
The charges against the banking executive include theft by servant, acquisition of proceeds of crime, possession and use of proceeds of crime, forgery, and uttering false documents.
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These offences violate provisions of the Penal Code and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.
During the court proceedings, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (SADPP) Solomon Njeru urged the court to impose strict bond terms on the accused, emphasizing the substantial amount of money involved in the case.
The court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on bond terms on October 9, 2025, and the pre-trial conference is set for October 16, 2025. In the meantime, Kiprono has been remanded at Kisii prison pending the bond ruling.
A Kisii Court summoned the accused on September 25, after the Director of Public Prosecutions approved his prosecution on the extensive criminal charges.
Senior Principal Magistrate Benard Obae Omwansa had issued the summons directing Kiprono to appear in court on October 2 for plea-taking, following his failure to attend a previously scheduled court session.
"The Court will rule on bond terms on 9th October 2025, while the pre-trial is scheduled on 16th October 2025. The accused person is remanded at Kisii prison," the statement reads.
