17/06/2026
The Hidden Risks of Choosing the Wrong Business Software
Choosing software for your business is one of the most critical decisions you will ever make. There are many "What if...?" questions that business owners must carefully consider before investing in any system.
A recent case involving a businessman from Bungoma highlights why this decision should never be taken lightly.
How Staff Allegedly Used Software to Steal Millions From a Supermarket
Alex Wafula, the owner of United Supermarket in Chwele, Bungoma County, revealed how his business lost millions of shillings through a fraud scheme that reportedly went on undetected for 20 months.
The scheme allegedly involved three individuals: a cashier, a software contractor, and a back-office clerk. Customers would purchase goods and make payments normally, but afterwards the sales records and receipts would be deleted from the system.
According to Wafula, once the cashier received the money, he would coordinate with the software contractor to erase the transaction records, leaving no evidence of the sale. The stolen money was then shared among those involved, with the cashier taking the smallest portion.
Wafula explained that regular stock-taking could have exposed the fraud earlier. However, the software contractor was allegedly informed in advance and would manipulate the system to restore transactions before stock verification exercises took place.
The prolonged fraud caused significant financial losses, making it difficult for the businessman to service his loans. This eventually prompted him to conduct a thorough audit, which uncovered the scheme.
Arrests have since been made, investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to appear in court on the 24th of this month, according to reports by Who Owns Kenya page
The Lesson for Businesses
Software should not only help a business operate efficiently; it should also protect the business from internal fraud. Before adopting any system, business owners should ask critical questions about security, access controls, audit trails, accountability, and who has the power to modify or delete records.
The wrong software, or poorly controlled software, can become a tool for theft instead of a tool for growth.