Five individuals were arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following a successful rescue mission in Thindigua, Kiambu County, where a kidnapping victim was found in distress, bearing visible injuries and blood-stained clothing. The operation unfolded when the victim’s girlfriend received a call demanding a ransom of Ksh 500,000 for his release. The phone was answered by an unfamiliar voice, setting off immediate alarm.
Following a swift response to intelligence leads, detectives launched a manhunt, tracing the kidnappers to a location near Quickmatt Thindigua. Upon closing in on the suspects, five individuals were apprehended, and two getaway vehicles were seized. In a thorough search of the vehicles, key pieces of evidence were recovered, including a kitchen knife, ten mobile phones of various brands, and a tablet.
Further investigation revealed that the kidnappers had already received Ksh 68,000 of the ransom money by the time of their arrest, shedding light on their illegal operation. The victim, who had been subjected to physical harm, was immediately rescued and is currently receiving medical attention.
The five suspects, all in police custody, are undergoing processing and will soon face charges in court. This marks another success in the ongoing fight against kidnapping, a crime that has seen a concerning rise in various parts of Kenya.
Earlier in the week, the DCI had made another breakthrough, apprehending a 33-year-old man who had kidnapped a seven-year-old boy in the Mwihoko area of Kiambu. The child had gone missing while the parents were shopping at a local supermarket. The suspects had contacted the parents, demanding Ksh 100,000 for the safe return of their son.
Acting swiftly on forensic evidence, officers traced the suspect to his hideout in Githurai, where the child was rescued and reunited with his parents. The kidnapper is currently in custody awaiting trial.
Both incidents underscore the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement operations in tackling the growing threat of abductions.
