Kenyan Medical Student Arrested for Faking His Own Kidnapping, Demanding Sh70,000 Ransom from Parents

A 23-year-old medical student has been arrested in Nairobi for staging his own kidnapping to milk money from his parents.

Edwin Kamau, a student at Makindu Medical Training College, ‘disappeared’ last Sunday before blocking his father and phoned his mother, claiming to have been abducted by people who demanded a ransom of Sh70,000 to set him free.

His distraught parents reported the matter to police officers but the calls persisted, with Kamau telling his mother that his kidnappers were on the verge of killing him. 

Frightened and determined to save the life of the son, the parents sent an initial Sh10,000 to Kamau on Wednesday via mobile money.

Police said immediately Kamau received the money, he went to a club in Thika town to have drinks and make merry in the company of a woman he had met. The lady spiked his drink with an unknown substance and stole the cash. 

Upon gaining consciousness on Thursday, Kamau called again and his parents sent a further Sh40,000 which he withdrew and secured in his shoes. 

By this time, detectives had closed in on him and upon questioning, the student claimed he had squandered money meant for his last semester’s school fees and resorted to the fake story to raise money in order to sit for his exams.

Detectives recovered Sh38,600 from Kamau, who is being held at Koyole police station in Nairobi pending arraignment.