Lawyer detained over Sh22m theft

By Cyrus Ombati

Police have arrested a lawyer linked to the Sh22 million heist.

The lawyer was arrested at his Matasia house in the outskirts of Nairobi on Sunday night after a suspect in custody claimed he was involved in the incident.

Detectives grilled him at the Flying Squad offices on Monday. The officers said they were considering charging him before court.

"He claims the money he has belongs to his clients," said a highly placed source, who asked not to be named.

It is not clear how the lawyer was involved in the theft, but police say preliminary investigations have implicated him. Sources said the advocate of the High Court was seized as attempted to leave his house to an unknown place. He had not gone to his house since Friday, but went back on Sunday evening.

The search for the money has spread to Kisii, where some accomplices are believed to have escaped to.

On Monday, Internal Security Minister, George Saitoti said the incident happened out of collusion between the G4S security staff and individual police.

The driver of the van is still at large. The AP who was with the driver in the van surrendered himself at the Security of Government Building offices on Mbagathi Road three hours after the incident. Preliminary investigations had shown the crew escorting the money knew how much it was.