Eight suspects arrested as police in Kiambu rescue Thika boy from kidnappers
What you need to know:
- Kelson Kimani was rescued by officers trailing the kidnappers in Kasarani, Nairobi.
- Police had been trailing the culprits from Ruaka where they had put up temporarily.
- The kidnappers included five women and three men who were all arrested at the time of the rescue.
- Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a urged police to ensure culprits are not bailed out as investigations proceed.
Police have rescued a four-year-old boy kidnapped by four gunmen from his home in Thika last Friday.
Kelson Kimani was rescued by officers trailing the kidnappers in Kasarani, Nairobi, as they attempted to transfer him to a different hideout in Mwiki.
Addressing the media after handing over the boy to his family, Kiambu County Police Commander Adiel Nyange said a multi-agency team of experts working on the case had been trailing the culprits from Ruaka, where they had put up temporarily before being nabbed as they left for a different hideout in Mwiki.
"They have been moving regularly. By the time we caught up with them they were coming from Ruaka and mowing towards Mwiki. Using our machineries, we intercepted them [in] Kasarani area," said Mr Nyange.
The kidnappers included five women and three men who were all arrested at the time of the rescue as a manhunt for three more known female accomplices began.
"We are happy that as we promised the family on Friday, we have been able to rescue the boy and arrest the culprits. We shall request the court to allow us [to] hold the suspects longer as we conclude our investigations," said Mr Nyange.
NEIGHBOUR ARRESTED
Among those arrested was the family's next-door neighbour, who sources privy to ongoing investigations hinted, could have been behind the kidnapping.
The neighbour is also said to have tricked the occupants of Kimani's home to open the door, allowing the gunmen into the house on Friday.
By Tuesday evening, the kidnappers had sent the aggrieved family images of their son, and demanded a Sh2.2 million ransom.
"We, however, did not give them any money. We thank God that our prayers and those of our friends and family have been answered.
"We have forgiven them. May God bless everyone who helped, our relatives and friends and the media," said Kimani's mother, Catherine Nyambura.
TURMOIL AND PAIN
Kimani's parents described the four days as full of turmoil and pain.
Unable to do anything, they kept praying while following police instructions, hoping to get their child alive against all odds.
At the time of the rescue, Kimani looked jovial and seemingly oblivious of what was happening. He also had different clothes on.
As his grandmother, parents and friends prayed and sang in thanksgiving for finding their son alive, Kimani kept smiling at the Thika Police Station.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a urged the police to ensure that the culprits are not bailed out by anyone as investigations into the case proceed.
"They must face the full force of the law in order to serve as a lesson to any other person who might think of committing a similar offence," said Ms Ng'ang'a.
