Editor's Review

The DCI has appealed to the public to help trace Albert Komen Kipkechem, a suspect linked to a series of fraud incidents in which a payment service provider, a local bank and a SACCO reportedly lost more than Ksh52 million.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has appealed to the public to help trace Albert Komen Kipkechem, a suspect linked to a series of fraud incidents in which a payment service provider, a local bank and a SACCO reportedly lost more than Ksh52 million.

In a statement on Monday, September 21, the DCI said the suspect is wanted after failing to attend subsequent court proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts, leading to the issuance of warrants for his arrest.

"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking the whereabouts of Albert Komen Kipkechem, who is wanted pursuant to warrants of arrest issued by the Milimani Law Courts," the statement 8.

Komen was previously arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts over alleged cyber-related offences. 

The charges were filed on March 3 and March 12, 2026, following investigations into the financial losses reported by the affected institutions.

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He was charged with Access with Intent to Commit a Further Offence, contrary to Section 15(1), and Computer Fraud, contrary to Section 26(1)(b) as read with Section 2(a) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.

"He was subsequently granted cash bail of Ksh1.5 million and Kshs. 500,000, respectively. However, he failed to attend subsequent court sessions, resulting in the issuance of warrants of arrest against him," the statement added.

The investigations stemmed from two incidents in June 2025 that affected a payment service provider, a local bank and a SACCO. 

DCI identified Komen, also known as Jonathan Kiptum Barmasai, as the main suspect in the alleged cyber-enabled fraud.

The case was investigated by Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit detectives attached to the Cyber Fusion Unit at the Central Bank of Kenya after the affected institutions reported the transactions.

"Upon discovery of the fraud, the affected entities reported the matter to Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit detectives attached to the Cyber Fusion Unit at the Central Bank of Kenya, who recorded their statements and immediately launched investigations," the DCI said in a past report.

File image of Albert Komen Kipkechem

The investigation was conducted jointly with experts from the National Forensic Laboratory and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau. 

Investigators subsequently linked Komen to the alleged fraud after examining digital evidence and other material obtained from the affected institutions.

"Further investigations revealed that the modus operandi in both incidents was similar. It was established that the suspect used remote access software to gain unauthorized access to the payment platform and bank information systems and effected unauthorized transactions that did not follow the normal payment flow before the fraud was eventually detected," the DCI added.

Detectives later obtained court orders and search warrants before arresting Komen in the Thome area of Nairobi County. 

He was then escorted to his home in Nakuru, where investigators recovered several items suspected to have been connected to the alleged fraud.

"After collecting relevant digital artifacts from the affected institutions and obtaining the necessary court orders and search warrants, detectives arrested the suspect in Thome area within Nairobi County, and escorted him to his Nakuru home, where several items linked to the fraud were recovered," the DCI further said.

Among the items recovered were electronic gadgets, fraudulently registered identity cards, a money-counting machine, Kenyan currency, SIM cards from different telecommunications service providers and ATM cards registered in other people's names.

Investigators also recovered a Congolese passport bearing Komen's photograph but registered in the name Katempa Ngoy Alexisa. 

A Congolese identity card bearing the same name was also recovered, alongside other items that detectives believed had been used in the commission of the alleged offences.

The suspect was subsequently taken back to Nairobi and processed before being presented in court to face the charges.

"Upon arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded at Capitol Hill Police Station until March 12, 2026, when the court will give directions on his bail and bond terms," the DCI concluded.