A Nairobi High Court has sentenced Pauline Kendi to six years in prison for kidnapping a six-year-old girl in the Githogoro area of Westlands Sub-County, Nairobi County. The incident occurred on September 22, 2025, and Kendi was later arrested and charged at the Milimani Law Courts on October 28, 2025.
According to court documents, Kendi was accused of kidnapping with intent to confine, contrary to Section 259 of the Penal Code. The charge sheet indicated that she abducted the minor, identified as VW, with the intent to secretly and wrongfully confine her.
On a second count, Kendi faced a charge of attempted extortion by demanding money with menaces, in violation of Section 300(1) of the Penal Code. The prosecution told the court that on September 23, 2025, she contacted the child’s mother and demanded KSh300,000 for the child’s release. She allegedly threatened to continue holding the minor until the ransom was paid in full.
Delivering the judgment on Friday, November 7, 2025, Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina found Kendi guilty of both charges after the prosecution presented compelling evidence linking her to the crime.
“For the first offence (kidnapping), you have been jailed for six years, and for the second offence, you have been jailed for two years. Both sentences will run concurrently since the offences were committed at the same time,” Magistrate Onyina ruled.
The court also informed Kendi of her right to appeal the decision within 14 days if dissatisfied with the ruling.
The case has once again drawn attention to the growing concern of child abduction and extortion cases in Nairobi, with authorities urging parents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly.
