Kidnappers demand sh10 million for Murang'a trader
A map showing Kandara Police Station in Murang'a. The area OCPD said police are carrying out investigations after 50-year-old Peter Kiarie, a shopkeeper from Kaha-ini Village, was abducted on Thursday by an armed gang. The abductors are demanding sh10 million in ransom for his release. PHOTO|GOOGLE MAPS.
What you need to know:
- The man was abducted on Thursday night at around 7:30 pm by a four man gang which was armed with a fire arm.
- Mr Kiarie’s two customers and his son identified as Mr Kiare Gateto were shot and critically injured.
- Police have been combing the area in an attempt to nab the gang.
- Families have been forced to pay millions of shillings as ransom.
Kidnappers have demanded Sh10 million to release a trader they abducted from a Murang’a village.
According to the police, the family of 50-year-old Peter Kiarie, a shopkeeper from Kaha-ini village in Kandara has been asked to pay the amount for his safe release.
Kandara police boss Gregory Mutiso said the man was abducted on Thursday evening at around 7:30 pm by an armed four man gang.
The incident also left another three people with bullet wounds after the gang shot at them in a bid to scare them.
“We are carrying out investigations and we hope to get to the bottom of the matter,” Mr Mutiso said Friday.
The OCPD said the gang armed with a fire arm struck the shop and began whipping Mr Kiarie and his son as they ransacked the shop for valuables.
Mr Kiarie’s two customers and his son identified as Mr Kiare Gateto were shot and critically injured during the incident.
They were rushed for treatment at the Thika Level Five hospital.
“The two are still in hospital and are responding well to treatment,” said the OCPD.
He added that the gang later fled with the businessman and later called the family demanding the Sh10 million ransom.
After abducting him, the gang pushed the trader into a get-away vehicle to an unknown destination.
The police have been combing the area in an attempt to nab the gang.
INCREASED INCIDENTS
The incident comes less than three weeks after another trader was abducted but later managed to escape from a hideout where he was being held.
But Mr Harrison Gichuhi’s family had to part with more than Sh100,000 before he managed to escape.
Gichuhi's abductors had demanded a Sh3 million ransom to in order release him.
The trader who operates Huhi Petrol station at Kagio market in Kirinyaga county where the incident occurred had been held for four days before he escaped from the hideout at Gikindu Village in Murang’a.
Increased cases of abductions in Murang’a have caused fear especially among traders who have become prime targets.
Families have been forced to pay millions of shillings as ransom.
Several suspects have also been arrested and arraigned in court following increased crime.
