A senior police officer has been taken into custody over his alleged role in a kidnapping and extortion scheme targeting a couple in Nairobi's Githurai area.
Inspector Kelvin Mwangi, the Deputy Officer Commanding Station at Drive In Police Post, was arrested on Thursday night following investigations into the abduction of Kanuti Konrid and his wife, Beatrice Naliaka Njoroge.
Details of the Incident
- The couple was intercepted by three men in a white Toyota Axio while delivering an Apple Smart Watch in Baba Ndogo.
- They were forcibly taken, handcuffed, and driven towards Thika Road where the suspects demanded KSh1 million for their release.
- Konrid managed to withdraw KSh17,000, which was rejected, prompting the suspects to take them to an Equity Bank branch in Githurai.
- At the bank, Konrid alerted an employee who informed security officers, leading to a police response from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit.
- During the ensuing chaos, the suspects fled on foot or sped away, with one suspect, Stephen Okello Obewa, apprehended after warning shots were fired.
Investigation and Arrests
- Obewa confessed and implicated other accomplices, naming serving police officers involved in the ring.
- The suspects had stolen five mobile phones valued at KSh120,000 along with the Apple Smart Watch during the initial kidnapping.
- Following the failed extortion attempt, Njoroge was released unharmed along Kamiti Road.
- Information from the investigation led to Inspector Mwangi's arrest later that evening.
- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kasarani is leading the ongoing inquiries.
