Former KDF Soldier, Woman Arrested for Kidnapping 4-Year-Old Girl in Nairobi, Demanding Sh1 Million Ransom

Two people have been arrested for reportedly kidnapping a four-year-old girl in Nairobi and demanding ransom to release her.

The suspects named Christopher Mwaula Kathinzi, 22, and Teresia Mwongela Kioko, 20, were arrested on Tuesday by detectives from the Serious Crime Unit. DCI George Kinoti said Kioko was a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspected abductors were nabbed in Machakos while waiting to receive the Sh1 million they had demanded to free the minor.

The child was kidnapped in Nairobi's Utawala estate while on her way home from school last Friday. The DCI said the girl was rescued at her abductors’ hideout in Athi River.

The suspects will be arraigned and charged once investigations are complete.

Last week, DCI officers rescued another seven-year-old boy who had been kidnapped from his parents' home in Loresho. The child was found in a rented house in Kawangware. 

Two suspects identified as Leah Muhonja Luyali, 47, and her daughter Charlotte Msimbi, 23, was arrested in connection with the kidnapping. Ms. Luyali was working as a house help in the victim’s home.

The DCI said the suspects were demanding a ransom of Sh3 million to release the minor. The house where the boy had been locked belonged to Ms. Msimbi.