Court issues arrest warrant against kidnap suspect

A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against one of the six people accused of kidnapping a girl at Mavuno Church, Nairobi.

Nairobi Chief magistrate Helena Ndung'u ordered the arrest of Alice Gitonga after she failed to appear in court yesterday.

The six Charity Gathigi, Judy Wambui, Anne Njeri, Purity Muthoni and Alice Gitonga alongside Raphael Nderitu Maina a convict at Kamiti Prisons had denied demanded a Sh5 million ransom from the girl's parents.

They are alleged to have committed the act in South C estate on September 30, 2012. On July 13, 2014 they were ordered by the court to prepare their defence after they were found with the case to answer.

"After the investigations officer John Shegu wound up his evidence, it was clear the prosecution's account of events had merit," and the suspects had a case to answer" the magistrate said.

Mr Shegu said police nabbed the suspects after monitoring their mobile conversations with the child's parents.

Shegu, who is attached to CID Makadara in Nairobi, told the court that the data print out shows the cellphone numbers used during the kidnapping. He said the suspects demanded the money, which was sent to them through mobile money transfer.

He said they arrested a convict, Raphael Maina alias Ali Maina in Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.