It is a parent’s worst nightmare. Your child kidnapped and held for ransom – in this case Sh2.2 million. But Kelson Kimani, four, is back home with his parents Catherine Nyambura and Wambugu Kimani.
He was rescued on Tuesday by Flying Squad and Special Crime Prevention Unit officers at Kasarani. Three people were intercepted as they were moving the boy from Ruaka to Mwiki to evade the police.
His parents’ tears could not hold back their tears. “Today we were almost losing hope. The suspects called us today in the afternoon and told us our efforts to use social media and mainstream media to find our son were all in vain. They sent us a photo of our son crying after they beat him,” she said.
Nyambura said they demanded Sh2.2 million ransom. “They told us to submit the cash or else they’d harm our son. We renegotiated and agreed to take Sh2 million. Thanks to God the police managed to apprehend them and save Kimani unharmed,” she said.
Nyambura said they did not part with any money as they could not raise the amount. Nyambura said she was devastated. Kimani was kidnapped at Thika Section 9 Estate on Friday.
Seven people – five women and two men – have been arrested over the kidnapping. Four men were arrested earlier in the week. The two women and a taxi driver were apprehended on Tuesday.
Among the suspects is a neighbour of the Kimanis, who is believed to the mastermind. Kiambu police commander Adiel Nyange said three suspects are at large.
“Luckily we have their identities and contacts. We will leave no stone unturned until we bring them to book,” he said. “I assure Kiambu residents that at no other time will they experience such a crime. We are going to flush out all criminals and punish them according to the law.”
