Meru County detectives have arrested three 17-year-olds who faked a kidnapping in an attempt to extort KSh 6 million from one of the teens’ families. The scheme unfolded in Kainginyo, Thimbiri, where two male suspects and a female accomplice, who posed as the victim, concocted a plan to stage her abduction.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the trio made ransom demands to the girl’s parents, threatening that their daughter would disappear for good if the money was not paid. The family, alarmed by the threats, reported the kidnapping to the Meru Police Station on September 24. Despite their desperate attempts to negotiate with the supposed kidnappers, they were unsuccessful.
Detectives from Imenti North launched a manhunt to rescue the girl, but during their investigation, they uncovered that the supposed victim had actually conspired with her two accomplices to stage the kidnapping. The trio hoped to extort a large sum from her own family.
After a forensic investigation, police tracked the teenagers to their hideout in Kainginyo, where they were arrested. During the arrest, authorities also found 20 rolls of marijuana in their possession.
The three teenagers are currently in custody at Igoji Police Station and are expected to face charges of conspiracy to defraud and possession of narcotics. While the family was relieved to learn their daughter was unharmed, the teens now await their day in court.
