Two bank tellers in spot as DCI probe murder of Mumias teacher

Two bank tellers are currently under scrutiny as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations intensifies its inquiry into the murder of a teacher from Mumias.

Ismael Wawire is presenting a photograph of Roselyda Akinyi, who was fatally attacked by unknown assailants after withdrawing funds from one of the banks. [Benjamin Skawa, Standard] Detectives investigating the murder of a teacher by unidentified assailants, following her withdrawal of Sh285,000 from a bank in Mumias town, have focused their inquiries on two bank tellers.

The Standard has confirmed that the two bank employees who assisted the deceased, Roseylda Akinyi, are persons of interest, while investigations continue to track down two additional suspects identified through the bank’s CCTV surveillance.

This development follows revelations that the victim was fatally stabbed with a knife rather than shot, as was previously reported by officials.

Last week, Akinyi was ambushed by a group of criminals in a saloon car shortly after withdrawing cash from the bank.

She was attacked merely a kilometer away from the bank.

According to the Western Regional Criminal Investigation Officer, Njeru Nthiga, detectives are pursuing two individuals who were observed interacting in a suspicious manner with a bank teller and a security guard.

“So far, progress is satisfactory. We have two suspects who were present in the bank and were seen communicating with a bank teller in the loan section and a security guard,” stated Nthiga.

He added, “The victim was not shot; rather, the perpetrator employed a sharp and lengthy knife, which penetrated the left side of the chest, severing the right aorta of the heart, and exited through the right side of the ribs. This is why there were minor wounds at both entry and exit points, differing from the impact of a firearm. ”

Preliminary investigations indicate that one of the suspects had inquired about an unavailable loan, while another engaged a guard, claiming that some funds had been erroneously sent to the wrong number and that he required assistance as they awaited the victim’s withdrawal.

According to Nthiga, detectives have thus far obtained CCTV footage from the bank that clearly depicts the suspects monitoring the victim while feigning phone conversations while in line.

“The suspects are observed gazing at the victim with suspicion, and if they are not the perpetrators or scouts for the killers, they should indicate or guide us to the actual assailants,” Nthiga remarked.

He indicated that law enforcement has substantial reasons to believe that the two tellers, a bank security guard, and the boda boda operator who transported the victim possess significant information necessary for resolving the murder case.

“We are exploring numerous pathways, as substantial withdrawals can lead to bank tellers orchestrating a setup, or a bank guard perhaps observing the nature of the withdrawal and choosing to follow the individual,” he stated.
According to the detective, even though the boda boda operator is reported to be a relative of the deceased, he will be interrogated to determine whether he acted as an informant for one of the suspects.

“We have already acquired the mobile phone of the deceased, which is currently in our possession for additional analysis. It is a challenging process, but it is necessary,” stated Nthiga.