Neighbours rescue magistrate from kidnapper in Kerugoya
Ms Kassam at her house in Kerugoya on February 24, 2016 after the failed attempt to kidnap her. PHOTO | GEORGE MUNENE | NATION
What you need to know:
Ms Juliet Kassam was leaving for work in the morning when the man, who had been hiding in her car, attacked her demanding a Sh50,000 ransom.
Ms Kassam said she was about to turn the ignition key when someone grabbed her by the neck from behind.
The principal magistrate pleaded with him to spare her life, saying she only had her ATM cards on her.
A knife-wielding man attempted to abduct a magistrate in Kerugoya Town in Kirinyaga County on Wednesday morning.
Ms Juliet Kassam was leaving for work in the morning when the man, who had been hiding in her car, attacked her demanding a Sh50,000 ransom.
Narrating the harrowing experience, Ms Kassam said she was about to turn the ignition key when someone grabbed her by the neck from behind.
When she screamed, the man covered her mouth, warning her of dire consequences if she dared raise the alarm.
She said the man then tied her hands with a piece of wire, all the time demanding cash at knife-point.
The principal magistrate pleaded with him to spare her life, saying she only had her ATM cards on her.
LUCKY INTERVENTION
The man took the cards and attempted to steal the car but neighbours who had heard her scream intervened.
They blocked the gate to the house and called the police, who arrived promptly and arrested the man.
Ms Kassam said she did not know how the man gained access into her car.
“When I saw he had a knife, I asked him what he wanted and he demanded money,” said the badly shaken magistrate, who is also the Kerugoya High Court’s deputy registrar.
She said when she handed over the ATM cards, he asked for the PIN.
“At that time, I was shaking badly in fear, but luckily two neighbours who work as casual labourers at the home of the former mayor came to my rescue,” said the magistrate.
One of them, Mr Amos Kasaya, said he heard the magistrate scream once and alerted a colleague, Mr Boniface Lucheli.
They abandoned what they had been doing and hurried to the scene where they found the magistrate sitting in her car with her hands tied together and a man threatening her with a knife.
“We immediately alerted the police, who responded quickly and rescued the magistrate. They disarmed the man, handcuffed him and took him away,” Mr Kasaya said.
County Police Commander Rono Bunei said it was likely the man had accomplices outside the gate.
Mr Bunei said the man would face attempted kidnap or robbery with violence charges once the investigations are completed.
Assistant Chief Kabui Gatimu said the man, aged 22, is from Kimandi Village in the county and regularly attends church services on Sundays.
“I know him as a very disciplined and spiritual man. Sometimes he is even given a chance to preach during the youth service and I was very surprised when I learnt that he had attacked the magistrate and attempted to kidnap her,” said Mr Gatimu.
