A Nairobi court has directed Kenyan Ambassador to Cuba Everlyne Mwenda Karisa and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) to file written submissions within seven days each ahead of a ruling in a dispute over alleged fraudulent transactions on the diplomat’s bank accounts.
The matter came up for mention before Senior Principal Magistrate Lucy Njora for purposes of closing the file after KCB claimed to have refunded funds allegedly lost through fraudulent transactions.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, the Ambassador opposed the proposed closure, arguing that the bank had not provided documentary proof confirming that the alleged refund amounting to Sh 779,603 had been credited to the applicant’s account.
KCB, however, maintains that it refunded Sh 413,728.75, which it says represented the verified loss arising from disputed transactions, and filed a response dated January 27, 2026 outlining its position.
Upon hearing both parties, the court declined to close the matter and directed that the pending application be disposed of by way of written submissions, granting each side seven days to file and exchange their submissions before the ruling date.
Karisa seeks orders certifying the matter as urgent and suspending any further transactions on her Kenya shilling and dollar accounts held at KCB pending the hearing and determination of the suit. She also seeks orders compelling the bank to appear before court and provide a report explaining how the alleged fraudulent transactions occurred.
She further states in her supporting affidavit that she has been stationed in Cuba on a tour of duty since October 2024 and accesses her online banking through a multi-layered verification system, including one-time passwords sent exclusively to her email address. She asserts that her Kenyan mobile lines were last active at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while travelling back to Cuba and that any transactions authenticated thereafter are suspicious.
According to the application, several transactions allegedly occurred on November 11 and 12, 2025, including multiple mobile money transfers and loan facilities processed without her authorization.
In response, KCB, through a replying affidavit sworn by Kericho Branch Manager Scandy Chepkurui, denied liability and argued that the suit was filed prematurely while investigations were ongoing, including inquiries involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The bank states that preliminary internal investigations established that the applicant was likely outside Kenya at the time of the transactions, prompting it to reimburse part of the disputed amount and write off certain loan facilities. KCB maintains that investigations into the alleged fraud are still ongoing.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on March 20, 2026.
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