Three ex-security officers freed after cybercrime case linked to FBI probe withdrawn

Three ex-security officers freed after cybercrime case linked to FBI probe withdrawn
Three ex-security officers freed after cybercrime case linked to FBI probe withdrawn - FBI movement members pose for a photo in military fatigues. (Photo: DCI)
FBI movement members pose for a photo in military fatigues. (Photo: DCI)

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The three had been arrested in 2025 following investigations involving the FBI into an alleged transnational cybercrime syndicate suspected of targeting American entities.

Three former security officers charged in connection with an international cybercrime investigation linked to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been discharged after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) withdrew the case before the Kahawa Law Courts.
Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage on Tuesday allowed an oral application by the prosecution under Article 157 of the Constitution to withdraw the case against Patrick Nyambaka Osoi, Jackson Kuria and Hiram Kimanthi. The application was not opposed by the defence.
In his order, the magistrate directed that the matter be withdrawn and that the three accused persons be discharged and set at liberty.

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"The matter be and is hereby withdrawn. The accused persons be and are hereby discharged and set at liberty."
The case had been registered as Criminal Case No. E104 of 2025 before the Chief Magistrate's Court at Kahawa.
The three had been arrested in 2025 following investigations involving the FBI into an alleged transnational cybercrime syndicate suspected of targeting American entities through business email compromise and other online fraud schemes.

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According to investigators at the time, the suspects were accused of operating from Kenya as part of a wider network under investigation by US authorities. The case was one of several that arose from cooperation between Kenyan law enforcement agencies and the FBI in tackling cross-border cybercrime.
However, when the matter came up for mention on Tuesday, the prosecution opted to withdraw the charges. No reasons for the withdrawal were disclosed in open court.
The withdrawal means the accused persons have been released, although a discharge following withdrawal does not amount to an acquittal and, depending on the circumstances and available evidence, fresh charges may be instituted in the future.

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