Six suspected kidnappers held by police

• Officers were pretending to deliver the ransom

Six people suspected to be involved in a kidnapping syndicate have been arrested.

Officers found security attire, money, and household items in their hideout in Turbo in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

Uasin Gishu police boss Kioko Muinde said the six were among a gang of more than 10 who kidnapped two members of an Asian family five days ago.

“They were arrested by security personnel who pretended to be paying the balance of the ransom demanded for the release of the victims.

“They had kidnapped two members of an Asian family along the Iten-Eldoret highway,” said the officer, adding that four others were arrested two weeks ago after they abducted the wife a doctor.

“They had demanded Sh80,000 in the first kidnapping but were arrested before they received any payment,” explained Mr Muinde, adding that the victims were rescued from a house that had been rented out in exchange for a share of the ransom.

He said a beret belonging to the Administration police unit, a bag full of bhang, and Sh25,000 were found in the house. Mr Muinde said some of the taxis used in the kidnappings had been impounded and that the owners had identified their collaborators.

Elsewhere, police in Bungoma yesterday gunned down a Ugandan national suspected to belong to a gang that has been terrorising area residents.
He was cornered at Namikelo village in Bungoma South.

Three of his accomplices were arrested and an AK-47 rifle and 17 rounds of ammunition recovered.

Area police chief Mary Omari said that police, acting on a tip-off, mounted a night operation at the village and gunned down the man as he attempted to escape. One gangster managed to escape.