Has Kenya's Most Dangerous Carjacking Ring Been Found?

What began as a car accident near Kahawa Wendani on December 4, 2023, evolved into an intricate criminal investigation that would span more than a year and expose the operations of a sophisticated crime syndicate.

The incident began when a woman and two men were ejected from their vehicle after colliding with and getting stuck on a rail guard. Rather than accepting assistance from approaching bystanders, the trio revealed their criminal intentions by discharging firearms into the air. Despite a brave attempt by a taxi driver to pursue them, the criminals forcibly seized a motorcycle from its rider to facilitate their escape. The true gravity of the situation became apparent when concerned citizens, drawn to the scene by the commotion, discovered Kennedy Kimuhu Gitau and Brian Karanja Mbui in the abandoned vehicle's boot, bound with ropes, their mouths taped shut.

Their subsequent rescue and police report led to the recovery of a spent cartridge that would prove instrumental in unravelling a broader criminal enterprise. Forensic analysis linked the cartridge to a Ceska pistol (serial number A700990) registered to Isaac Wonder Daraja Motochi, a licensed firearm holder whose weapon had been connected to numerous carjacking incidents across multiple neighbourhoods including Kilimani, Ruai, Juja, and Ruiru. The circumstances leading to the abduction reveal a calculated scheme targeting unsuspecting victims in the automotive trade. Gitau, a car seller operating from a showroom on Kiambu Road, had been approached through Karanja, a broker, regarding a potential Sh2 million sale of a Prado vehicle.

The supposed buyer, identified only as "Robert," orchestrated a meeting in Juja that included a road test drive. After inspecting the vehicle, the buyer suggested they stop at his residence before proceeding to a restaurant to complete the transaction. This seemingly innocent request turned into an ambush when two armed motorcyclists confronted them outside the palatial home where the buyer claimed to reside. The victims endured three days of captivity in the Juja house, during which their captors attempted to extract a Sh2.5 million ransom from their families while subjecting them to psychological abuse and violent threats.

As the investigation progressed, law enforcement uncovered an extensive pattern of criminal activity linked to Motochi's firearm. The case necessitated a comprehensive forensic analysis of seized devices and coordinating evidence from multiple jurisdictions. Lead investigator Peter Mwangi's request for additional time to conduct identification parades met resistance from Motochi's legal team, who contested the investigation's prolonged duration since the initial report. The case took an intriguing turn when it was revealed that Motochi had previously been charged in Thika court on December 23, 2023, for failing to secure a firearm and had paid a fine of Sh15,000.

His defence team argued that the current investigation was an attempt to harass their client. However, State prosecutor Virginia Kariuki firmly denied this claim, stating that the same firearm had been used in multiple crimes. The forensics division's findings have highlighted a disturbing trend of the weapon's involvement in numerous criminal activities across different police jurisdictions. After his initial court appearance, Motochi was transferred to Ruiru police custody due to another successful detention application by law enforcement.

The case is scheduled for a mention to assess the progress of the investigation, particularly in relation to the coordination among multiple police stations and the increasing evidence of systematic criminal activity.