Crime

Missing Indians: DCI officers to face abduction charges

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2023

Charges of kidnapping and conspiring to commit an offense have been approved by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) against officers of the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU), who are accused of kidnapping and killing two Indians working for the UDA party and their Kenyan taxi driver

Mohamed Ziad Sami Kidwai and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, two foreign nationals who reportedly entered the country in April 2022 to work on President William Ruto’s digital campaign team, vanished on July 25 after being kidnapped along with their taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania by unidentified assailants outside the Ole Sereni hotel in Nairobi.

Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Riungu claims in a letter to the head of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), the body looking into the issue.

“In respect of the investigation into the proposed offence of murder, we note that the said report from the Government Chemist analyst and the DNA sample are not yet ready. Therefore, the decision on the said proposed charge will be made when the same is completed and analysed. Consequently, you are directed to arraign the said suspects to answer to the said charges,” reads the letter.

In order to obtain DNA samples from the victims’ relatives, three IAU detectives traveled to India last month with the help of a physician.

The DPP retrieved the case file for a fourth time last week, according to sources, to make sure that the investigators had followed instructions, including retrieving the DNA samples.

The inquiry showed that DCI personnel did not act in unison throughout the incidents leading to the three victims’ kidnapping and murder. Several officials from other government agencies participated in the planning and helped the SSU officers carry out their illicit operations.

More personnel from other security services are likely to be charged alongside the SSU officers later this month, according to affidavits submitted to the Kahawa Magistrate’s Court and emails between the IAU and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

When CCTV evidence showed the two Indian men’s automobile being halted and taken by armed men who left the vehicle at the location of the kidnapping, the relatives of the two men last year connected their disappearance to state agents.

Noor Gabow, who was the acting inspector general of police at the time, gave the IAU the go-ahead to conduct the inquiry and submit a report for consideration on September 15 of last year.

Over 21 SSU personnel were interrogated regarding their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murders. The investigation’s results were then presented.

The conclusions included a recommendation that the unit be disbanded to allow for the resolution of any outstanding issues in the case before the file was sent to the DPP for guidance.

The unit was disbanded the next month, and its 58 officers were dearmed and placed on an obligatory 30-day leave as investigations into their behavior progressed. Later, Mr. Gabow gave the order for the men to be sent to different units.

Related Topics:Mohamed Ziad Sami Kidwai Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan

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Crime

Nyeri teen arrested with homemade gun, bhang to be charged

Published

3 days ago

May 31, 2023

KSN Reporter

By Wanja Waweru

A 19-year-old guy was detained by police in Nyeri County after being discovered in possession of a handmade gun that could fire and marijuana.

The National Police Service (NPS) said in a statement that the young man was detained as a result of a tip from the general public.

“Police officers from Munyange Police Station arrested a 19-year-old suspect after he was found in possession of a home-made pistol, stones of cannabis sativa and rolls of the same. He has been remanded in police custody,” the statement read in part.

The NPS also expressed gratitude to the general public for helping to support community police in the battle against crime and illegal narcotics.

A police officer assigned to the General Service Unit (GSU) was also found in possession of a handmade pistol the day before the teen’s arrest.

A failed heist in Kasarani sub-county led to the arrest of Mr. Graham Ndichu Chege, a GSU officer.

On Monday, May 29, 2023, Nairobi News broke the exclusive that the suspect has been on police radar for more than four months.

Officers worried about an armed gang terrorizing people in Kasarani Sub-County knew when, not if, Mr. Chege would be apprehended.

The suspect was being questioned about more robberies that had occurred nearby, according to an investigator with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who is aware of the current inquiries.

“Officers involved in the matter believe that he was the one leading a gang that has been giving the locals in this sub-county a hard time. Plans are also underway to arrest his accomplices,” said the officer, who spoke in confidence as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

According to a police report reviewed by this reporter, Mr. Paul Maina said that three individuals on motorcycles and carrying pistols robbed him at gunpoint of his cell phone at the Cooperative area along Kamiti Road.

“Police officers on foot patrol responded very quickly and with the help of bodaboda riders they chased the suspects to Juja Weighbridge where the suspect’s motorcycle developed mechanical problem and Mr Chege was arrested,” the report reads in part.

As a GSU officer assigned to the GSU Headquarters and Transit Section, Mr. Chege then revealed to the officers that he was to them.

When the police searched him, they discovered a makeshift pistol that they claimed might fire.

“A bloodstained broken knife and a motorcycle with registration number KMFH 031U, make Ranger Black, were recovered,” the police report added.

Courts

City pastor accused of defrauding Kenyans in the USA of Sh6.8 million

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2023

KSN Reporter

By Wanja Waweru

A city preacher has been accused with stealing Sh6.8 million from two sisters and their friend who lives in the USA while he pretended to be in a position to buy them land in Nairobi.

Catherine Wairimu Ng’ang’a of the Githurai-based Arise and Healing and Deliverance Church was charged At the Milimani courts.

When she was prosecuted in front of senior main magistrate Zainab Abdul, she contested four counts of receiving money under false pretenses.

The lady pastor, 53, was charged with cheating Noel Njeri Ngure, Lilian Muthoni Ngure, and Anne Nyambura Njogu between February and September 2021 of a huge sum.

The magistrate was informed that Pastor Wairimu collected Sh4 million from Noel under the pretense that she could sell her a land of land number Mowlem/Nairobi Block 169/285, a fact she knew to be false.

The preacher was suspected of receiving the Sh4m on several times between February 1 and August 12 2021 when he was detained by authorities on May 28, 2023.

The preacher was accused of accepting Sh1,735,000 from Lilian Muthoni Ngure between March 12 and August 12, 2021, despite knowing that she was lying when she said she could sell her a piece of land with the address Mowlem/Nairobi Block 169/287.

According to the third count, she received a second trump of Sh900,000 from Lilian Muthoni Ngure on August 31 and September 24, 2021, pretending to sell to her three stalls at New Wakulima Kangundo Road Market.

The magistrate learned that the pastor was lying and that she was not in a position to do so.

The preacher was accused of defrauding Ann Nyambura Njogu of Sh253,200 in the fourth allegation against her. She had claimed to be in a position to sell Njogu a piece of land in Mowlem/Nairobi Block 169/286.

Pastor Wairimu requested release on bail, pledging to follow the judge’s orders.

Her release on bond was not opposed by the prosecution.

She was then freed by Ms. Abdul on a Sh500,000 cash bail with one contact person.

On June 12, 2023, her case will be brought up for pre-trial instructions.

Pastor Wairimu will then meet with her accusers at the hearing date that Ms. Abdul will establish.

Crime

Police seize counterfeit beer in Murang’a, nab three

Published

5 days ago

May 29, 2023

KSN Reporter

Three women were allegedly found in possession of 83 crates of fake beer.

According to a National Police Service (NPS) statement, officers in Muranga cracked down on illegal brews in Marema village in coordination with the local government and the general population.

“The operation led to seizure of 83 crates of Santa King Ice believed to be a counterfeit alcohol, five crates without stickers, and arrest of three female suspects,” the statement read in part.

This happened just a day after two women were apprehended in connection with the seizure of fake booze in Kiambu County.

The two suspects, who have only been identified as Ms. Donatha and Ms. Grace, were detained, according to a statement from the National Police Service, during an operation on May 27, 2023, at the homestead of one Mr. Wanjohi.

“The multi-agency team conducted an operation in Gitaru area where they seized various items including rolls of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps, several boxes of suspected fake alcoholic drinks with different brand names, distilling machines and several empty boxes as well as bottle tops,” the NPS statement said.