Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a series of abductions and ransom-related crimes in Murang’a County. The suspects, a man and two women, were taken into custody on Friday afternoon after police intercepted a black saloon car in which they were traveling in Kangema. They are accused of abducting two women in separate incidents and demanding ransoms from their families.
The first victim, Irene Muthoni, recounted her ordeal when she was abducted while waiting to board a matatu at Kabuta area, near Murang’a town. She said that the suspects, riding in the black saloon car, offered to drop her off at Murang’a town. However, once inside the vehicle, the suspects revealed that they were criminals and threatened to kill her unless her family sent them Sh50,000. They took her phone and began calling her relatives, demanding the ransom.
Muthoni’s family tried to delay the payment, which caused the abductors to grow suspicious, fearing that the family was working with the police. In response, the suspects dropped Muthoni off in Kanorero area, in Kangema, before they could receive any money. Police had been tracking Muthoni’s phone and were able to locate her, continuing their pursuit of the suspects. They were eventually caught while buying groceries in Kangema town.
In a separate incident, another woman, identified as Nyambura, was abducted while walking in Kiangage market. She was forced into the saloon car and driven to Kenol town, where the suspects forced her to withdraw Sh20,000 from an ATM. They also emptied her M-pesa account and threatened to kill her unless her family sent additional ransom money. Nyambura’s family managed to send Sh40,000, but when the suspects realized the police were closing in on them, they released her at Kambiti area.
Both victims described being terrorized by the suspects, who were armed with what appeared to be a gun, and were subjected to verbal abuse throughout the ordeal. The suspects also threatened to kill them if their families did not comply with their ransom demands. In one instance, the abductors insulted Nyambura for marrying a man they deemed unworthy, highlighting the psychological toll the abductions took on the victims.
Murang’a County Police Commander Benjamin Kimwele confirmed that the suspects were apprehended after a dedicated effort by law enforcement. He explained that the police had been tracking the suspects for several days, gathering evidence such as the mobile phone used to contact the victims’ families and money believed to have been extorted from another victim.
Murang’a County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha praised the police for their swift response and for making significant progress in the fight against crime in the region. He also credited the Mulika Uhalifu platform, which allows residents to report crime, for helping authorities gather vital information. Nkanatha reassured the public that security forces were committed to ensuring safety in the county and vowed to continue cracking down on criminal activities.
Since the start of the month, police have made several arrests related to car break-ins and scams, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle crime in Murang’a. Police are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as community cooperation is essential in preventing and solving crimes.
The arrests of these three suspects are seen as a major breakthrough in the county’s fight against abductions and other criminal activities, with law enforcement promising to maintain pressure on criminals operating in the area.
