Three Arrested in Connection with Abductions Near Murang’a

Police in Murang’a have arrested three people suspected of being behind a spate of abductions and robbery with violence incidents in the county.

On Friday evening, law enforcement agents arrested three individuals—a pair of women and one man—after stopping their sedan vehicle near Kangema town.

It is believed they kidnapped two women in distinct events and are extorting money from their relatives.

Murang’a County Police Commander Benjamin Kimwele said the arrest followed an incident in a which a young woman was abducted while waiting to board a matatu at Kabuta area near Murang’a town.

The suspects then drove off with the victim towards Kangema town but were intercepted by police officers before they could receive any money from the victim’s family.

Kimwele said evidence recovered from the scene included a mobile phone used to contact the victim’s family and money believed to have been extorted from another victim.

Irene Muthoni, the victim, said the suspects approached her while riding in a black saloon car and offered to drop her off at Murang’a town.

“When I got into the car, they told me they were criminals and asked me to get them Sh50, 000, failing which they would kill me and dump my body in a dam,” the victim narrated.

She stated that the suspects seized her phone and began contacting her family members, insisting on receiving the funds.

However, Muthoni’s parents continued to claim they were going to an M-PESA shop. But as they took too long to send the money, the kidnappers grew suspicious that her parents might have been collaborating with law enforcement. As a result, they released her in the Kanorero region of Kangema.

The police officers followed Muthoni’s phone number and apprehended her. They then proceeded to track the suspects, who were spotted purchasing groceries in Kangema town.

The second person who experienced harm, Hellen Nyambura Ndungu, stated that she was taken against her will on Thursday around 5 pm at Kiangage market while she was going to a church gathering.

She stated that a male emerged from a vehicle brandishing what appeared to be a firearm and compelled her to get inside the automobile.

When they requested me to have my spouse send funds, I informed them he worked as a daily laborer, which led to their insults and questioning of why I married someone so unproductive.

They subsequently seized her phone and withdrew funds from her M-pesa account before heading to Kenol town in Maragua, where they compelled her to withdraw KSh20,000 from an ATM.

They threatened to harm me if I didn’t receive a ransom from my family. They contacted my father, mother, and even my husband with these threats. My dad transferred 40,000 shillings. Once they understood the authorities were tracking them down, they abandoned me in the Kambiti region,” explained Nyambura.

Joshua Nkanatha, the Murang’a County Commissioner, mentioned that they had been following the vehicle for multiple days prior to arresting the suspects.

“Our security team has been relentlessly pursuing these criminals. The apprehension of these individuals marks a significant milestone in our continuous efforts to combat crime within the county,” stated Nkanatha.

He highlighted that the Mulika Uhalifo platform, which enables citizens to submit warnings about crimes, has proven beneficial in tackling unlawful actions within the region.

Nhanatha reassured the community members that the security team is diligently striving to guarantee uninterrupted daily routines for everyone.

According to Kimwele, over the past week, six individuals suspected of involvement in car break-ins and frauds have been apprehended.

My request to residents is to file reports and assist the security forces by providing information that can aid in capturing the suspects.