Four arrested in Kayole over kidnapping of Moyale teen, woman in human trafficking probe

Four arrested in Kayole over kidnapping of Moyale teen, woman in human trafficking probe

The two were kidnapped on their way to a mosque, and the suspected abductors later demanded a ransom of $25,200 (Sh3.2 million) from their families.

Police are holding four men suspected of being behind the abduction of a 17-year-old girl and a 22-year-old woman, both Moyale residents, kidnapped in Kayole, Nairobi.

The suspects are Baqe Age Adula, Wario Aden Guyo, Roba Galgalo and Ismael Njoroge Mwai.

Police are pursuing their two accomplices, including one allegedly based in Thika, Kiambu County, suspected to be coordinating the illegal activities.

The suspects were arrested in Pangani after allegedly abducting the two victims, who had been missing for over 10 days before their disappearance was reported at Kayole Police Station on June 26.

The two kidnapped women were booked as missing persons vide OB number 60/26/6/2025.

The two were kidnapped on their way to a mosque, and the suspected abductors later demanded a ransom of $25,200 (Sh3.2 million) from their families.

According to documents filed at the Makadara Law Courts by Police Constable Charity Kagwiria of Kayole Police Station, the mobile phone number used to demand ransom from the victims' families was registered to Andula, who also owns the bank account linked to the transaction.

The documents indicate that Andula, Guyo and Gaolgalo admitted that they had the mobile phone that sent messages to the families of the missing persons and that the two victims were in their custody.

"The first respondent (Adula) led police officers to Machakos County to the home of (Mwai) where the victims were being held captive and harboured," stated Kagwiria.

In her statement, Kagwiria said the officers were unable to access the house in Mwai's absence. She added that officers from Kayole Police Station believed the victims were inside the premises, as they saw washed clothes hanging on the clotheslines through openings in the main gate.

The statement further noted that Adula led the police to Mwai’s home, where the two victims were being held after their abduction in Kayole, Nairobi.

Police spotted the victims’ clothes hanging inside the house through a window but were unable to rescue them, as the victims had already been moved to another location.

The suspects had been arrested by police officers at a house in the Pangani area, which they claimed belonged to one of their accomplices. They were to be charged with human trafficking.

Kagwiria informed the court that she is investigating a human trafficking case and requested permission to detain the suspects for seven days to facilitate the ongoing investigations.

The investigations involve recording statements from the victims' parents, who are in Moyale, Marsabit County— a process expected to take longer than the 24 hours permitted by the Constitution.

"Consequently, the applicant (Kayole Police Station) is making this application to warrant the four suspects to be in custody for more than 24 hours to assist the applicant in investigations," states Kagwiria.

Kagwiria also stated that she plans to submit the four suspects' mobile phones to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters for forensic analysis.

Principal Magistrate Wandia Nyamu granted the orders to detain the suspects pending investigations.

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