Police seek Tobiko's advice on Embu Speaker's kidnap saga

Police have sought the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether they should question a top official about the kidnapping of Embu Speaker Kariuki Mate in May.

Detectives handling the case forwarded the investigations file to DPP Keriako Tobiko last Thursday, seeking his opinion on whether it would be proper for them to seek the official's statement based on confessions of a man who claims to have participated in the kidnap.

A 34-year-old carpenter reportedly told detectives probing the kidnap he was among four men who kidnapped Mate from Utalii Hotel, Nairobi, on May 19.

He allegedly linked a top official to the kidnapping and another man who denied the claims and was grilled and released by police following Mr Tobiko's advice.

Tobiko said he was still analysing the file's contents. The confession stated the gang bundled Mate into a car and drove towards Kiambu Road via Garden estate.

 Mental status

When they arrived at a junction close to National Intelligence Service Headquarters, they moved Mate to a second car, which was driven off by a second group of criminals who were supposed to kill him.

The team handling the investigations is headed by Assistant Inspector General Mohammed Amin. 

They also want the suspect examined by a psychiatrist to ascertain his mental status. Detectives intend to charge the suspect with the crime based on his confession.

The suspect claimed they were supplied with new mobile phones for the operation. The mobile phones were taken away after the kidnapping.

Police investigations show the suspect could not recall the numbers dialled because they were new to him.

"It was a well planned and executed kidnapping based on the confession of the suspect," the file handed to Tobiko reads in part.

The team investigating the incident has so far interrogated 10 people including a police officer attached to Kiganjo Police Training College after he was mentioned by the suspect.

A Directorate of Criminal Investigation officer, Nicholas Muriuki Kangangi, appeared before the chief magistrate's court in Milimani in June and was charged with abduction with intent to unlawfully confine Mate.

Mate was found dumped in Limuru four days after his abduction. He was unconscious at the time.