Fear as kidnappers impersonate police, kill victims in Murang'a

Mr Gerald Kimathi Mauta, a police officer (centre) and Mr George Omollo Ngasi in a Nairobi court in 2009. The officer and his accomplice were charged with abducting an Asian businessman and
demanding Sh3 million from his business partner to secure his release. Photo/FILE 

In Summary

• The gangsters brandish AK 47 rifles and claim to be working with police officers.
• They allege that some officers lend them their guns and uniforms.
• However, the police have denied the claims and even warn that any officer found colluding with criminals will face the law.

By SAMUEL KARANJA
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Kidnappers operating in Murang’a County have resorted to police impersonation to intimidate their victims.

Recent cases of abductions in the area are raising fear among residents especially those in the business community.

Victims are forced out of their business premises or homes and later, their families called for ransom.

Some cases have been reported to occur as early as 7:00 pm.

The gangsters brandish AK 47 rifles and claim to be working with police officers.

They allege that some officers lend them their guns and uniforms.

DENY CLAIM

However, the police have denied the claims and even warn that any officer found colluding with criminals will face the law.

Recently, an assistant chief in Murang’a South was arraigned in court over links to a kidnapping case.

On Thursday last week, a business man, Mr Peter Kiarie, was abducted at around 7:30 pm by an armed four man gang from his shop at Kaha-ini village in Kandara.

(READ: Kidnappers demand sh10 million for Murang'a trader)

Days later, his headless body was found dumped at a swamp several kilometres from his home.

Earlier, the body of a vendor from Mukuyu identified as Mr Kenneth Kang’ethe Gitau, 42, was found dumped at Mathioya river with his hands tied with a wire and stab wounds on the neck.

He had been reported missing on August 13 after he failed to return to his home in Kongo-ini village.

Efforts to trace him proved futile and family members suspected that he had been abducted or killed.

POSED AS POLICE

A businessman from Murang’a was also abducted at his petrol station in Kagio market in Kirinyaga County by three men posing as police officers.

The trio attempted to arrest Mr Harrison Gichuhi, 55 and after a scuffle, he was bundled into a vehicle.

The gangsters later called his family and demanded Sh3 million as ransom but he was later set free.

Police maintain that no ransom was paid for his release.

A week before the kidnap of Mr Gichuhi, a businesswoman had been released by gangsters after she was held hostage for four days.

The family of Mrs Mercy Wanjiru Mbugua is said to have paid over Sh100, 000 before she was set free.

Three gangsters, in a vehicle said to be bearing GK number plates, attacked her at her butchery in Maragua town at around 8pm.

They also shot and fatally injured one of her employees, Mr William Kang’ethe, who later died at Maragua district hospital.

BODY DUMPED

Another victim, Mr George Kamau Njung’e, 45, was abducted by four men from his home in Kambirwa village of Kiharu and his body found hours later at a quarry near Murang’a town with gunshot wounds.

Area police Commander Naomi Ichami said the Murata Sacco assistant manager was taken from his house by thugs posing as police officers.

According to him, the thugs entered compound at around 11 pm and ordered him to open the door.

“They robbed him of his personal items and demanded for his car keys. As he was opening the door to the vehicle, they bundled him inside and fled with him as his daughter watched,” the police boss said.

Ms Ichami said the banker’s body was found several hours later dumped at a quarry near the Kengen power station at Wanjii along the Murang’a-Maragua road.

DEMAND ID

Mwea West police boss Paul Odede is now urging residents to demand identification from people claiming to be police officers.

“All of us carry identification documents and we are supposed to use them to show that we are law enforcers,” he said.

According to Ms Ichami, Murang’a County police commander, the kidnappers only claim to be working with police officers to intimidate their victims.

“They even have phone numbers of the said officers and even pretend to call them in front of the victim which is a lie,” she said during an interview with Nation.co.ke at her office.

She however admitted that said investigations into some officers colluding with criminals are ongoing.

“People should also stop sending the ransom money as this will encourage the gangsters to continue with their crime. The affected families should share information with us.

“We will ensure that discipline among police officers is high and those found colluding with criminals will be disciplined,” she said