Nine people, including current and former officials of Eco-Pillar Sacco Society Limited, have been implicated in an alleged Sh260 million fraud scheme involving suspected manipulation of financial systems, fraudulent accounts, questionable loans and unauthorised transfers of funds over a seven-year period.

The suspects face multiple criminal charges arising from alleged financial transactions between 2018 and 2025, with the prosecution claiming that the Sacco lost Sh260,008,100 through activities involving its integrated financial database and transaction systems.

The case came before the Kapenguria Law Courts in West Pokot County on Thursday, where six of the nine accused appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Telewa.

 The court proceedings are ongoing, with the suspects facing allegations that, if proved, could expose serious weaknesses in the management and protection of members’ savings.

Those named in the main conspiracy charge include West Pokot County Assembly Speaker Fredrick Kaptui Plimo, Kodich Ward Member of County Assembly Paul Lokitari Ywapamoi, Linus Lokira, Leonard Pchakasan Domoita, Nicholas Toroitch Arusho, Andrew Poriot Lorema, Susan Chesang, Florence Chemotwo and Francis Atodosia.

The three accused persons absent were Fredrick Kaptui Plimo, Paul Loktari Ywapamoi and Frank Atodosia during the court appearance and were directed to appear on November 5, 2026.

The court warned that warrants of arrest would be issued if they failed to attend.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly conspired to defraud the Sacco of more than Sh260 million through the manipulation of Sacco Link transaction systems, creation of fraudulent accounts, issuance of fictitious loans and unauthorized withdrawals into personal bank accounts.

The allegations point to a suspected scheme involving multiple transactions and possible interference with the Sacco’s financial controls. However, the prosecution is yet to prove the allegations in court.

The prosecution has also preferred separate charges against some of the accused, detailing alleged losses attributed to individual transactions.

Lokira is accused of stealing Sh12.1 million belonging to the Sacco, while Domoita faces a separate charge of allegedly stealing Sh37.752 million.

Lorema is accused of stealing Sh6.9 million, while Arusho allegedly stole Sh13.6038 million during the period covered by the charges.

Chesang faces a separate charge of allegedly stealing Sh8.1 million from the financial institution.

The individual theft allegations form part of the wider case surrounding the alleged loss of members’ funds. The amounts cited in the separate counts are allegations by the prosecution and have not been established as criminal losses through a court judgment.

In another significant aspect of the case, Domoita, Lorema and Arusho are jointly charged with unauthorized interference with a computer system, contrary to Section 16(3)(a) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

The prosecution alleges that the three interfered with the Sacco’s integrated financial database by introducing malicious codes that caused the system to alter financial entries, resulting in the alleged loss of Sh260,008,100.

The charge raises questions about the integrity of the Sacco’s digital financial records and the safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized alterations. The allegations, however, remain subject to examination through the ongoing judicial process.

Plimo and Lokira are jointly accused of abuse of office. According to the charge sheet, the two allegedly abused their positions while serving as chief executive officers of the Sacco at different times by arbitrarily directing that Sacco funds be deposited into various personal bank and M-Pesa accounts.

They are further accused of allegedly compelling junior employees to surrender their ATM cards and personal identification numbers for use in the suspected scheme.

The prosecution claims the employees were threatened with termination of employment if they failed to comply with the alleged demands.

If established, the accusations would raise serious concerns about the use of authority within the institution and the protection of employees who may be exposed to pressure from their superiors. The court is expected to examine the evidence presented by the prosecution and the responses of the accused as the proceedings continue.

Chemotwo faces a separate charge of cheating involving an alleged Sh3 million deposit.

The charge sheet states that between October 22, 2024, and December 28, 2025, she allegedly used fraudulent tricks to induce Sacco to pay her Sh1.161 million in interest beyond the amount she would otherwise have received.

The prosecution is expected to rely on evidence from witnesses and financial records to support the various allegations. The charge sheet lists Eco-Pillar Sacco Society Limited, through the State, as the complainant and identifies several witnesses expected to testify in the case.

The document indicates that the accused were arrested without warrants on August 8, 2026, and that the matter was scheduled for court on October 29, 2026.

The six suspects who appeared in court on Thursday did not take plea at that appearance, according to the information provided on the proceedings. The court is expected to determine bond terms for the suspects who took plea on November 2, 2026, as they remain in custody pending further proceedings.

The case is being closely watched because of the substantial amount allegedly involved and the potential implications for accountability and the security of members’ savings in cooperative financial institutions.

Investigations remain ongoing, while the court proceedings are yet to conclude. All the accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

The outcome will depend on the evidence presented, the defence advanced by the accused and the court’s determination of the charges.

by Parklea Ivor