4 Tharaka-Nithi kidnapping suspects freed on bail

A Chuka court on Thursday released four people accused of kidnapping and robbery with violence.

The four suspects were arraigned before Chuka Senior Resident Magistrate Mwanamkuu Sudi.

Police had unsuccessfully requested to hold them for two more weeks to allow them to complete investigations.

Inspector Martin Wanga said the police needed more time to interrogate the four suspects.

He said the suspects were arrested on January 11 at Royal Annex Hotel in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, in connection with the robbery with violence and kidnapping of Grace Kangai from Kibunga in Tharaka South Sub-County.

Mr Wanga said detectives also rescued the victim, who was found confined in a hotel room.

Ms Kangai was abducted on January 6 in Chogoria town and the matter reported on January 9 at the Chogoria Police Station.

“We need more time to get M-Pesa information from Safaricom, get bank statements and also arrest other suspects connected to this case who are still at large,” said Mr Wanga.

AFFIDAVIT CLAIMS QUESTIONED

The suspects' lawyers, David Mbaya and Benson Kinjaru, challenged the request to keep their clients in custody, noting that there were no compelling reasons not to release them on bond.

“The first accused is a senior civil servant, a pharmacist working with the ministry of Health in the national government and a law-abiding citizen,” said Mr Kinjaru.

The lawyers also said the sworn affidavit had scanty information and lacked facts and asked the court to dismiss it.

Ms Sudi freed the four on cash bail of Sh50,000 each or a bond of Sh100,000 and a surety of the same amount.

He ordered them to report to Tharaka-Nithi County criminal investigation offices in Chuka daily.

“Having considered submissions from the two sides and the fact that they are being accused of a crime that attracts death [if they are] found guilty, I release them on bond but they should report to investigation offices at Chuka town daily,” said Ms Sudi.