Househelp in Nairobi baby kidnap case arrested in Kisii

Kisii Central Police OCPD Tom Mutysia looks at a four-year-old who had been kidnapped from Embakasi, Nairobi and later found in Kisii town. Holding the child is his blissful mother Lydiah Cheruto who has been searching for her only son since last week Monday.

Kisii, Kenya: Police in Kisii have launched a manhunt for a man, who together with a house help, are suspected to have kidnapped a four-year-old baby from Embakasi estate, Nairobi.

Joan Chebet, now under police custody in Kisii, disappeared last week and has reportedly been living with her unidentified accomplice at Nyanchwa Estate, Kisii County.

Police say the man, believed to hail from Homa Bay called the child’s parents; Benard Muhati and Lydiah Cheroto, and demanded Sh5 million ransom. The parents negotiated with the man, who later accepted Sh2 million with an immediate deposit of Sh60,000, which the parents paid through M-Pesa.

‘Humble girl

Criminal Investigation officers from Embakasi police Division, through the transaction, tracked down the man and the house girl.

By Saturday morning, the parents of the missing child had borrowed Sh2 million from a bank to facilitate payment for the release of their only baby.

According to Kisii Central Police Station OCPD Tom Mutysia, the officers traced the maid’s phone calls, which led to her arrest.

“We are suspecting this to be a major syndicate of child trafficking. We will soon arrest those involved in this illegal act. Chebet would be having vital information that may lead to more arrests. It is illogical that she could have been offered accommodation by a stranger for three days,” said Mutysia.

Cheroto said she had traveled upcountry leaving behind the baby with the house girl when he was kidnapped.

“I have been having sleepless nights for the last four days. I thank God for the safety of my child and also our security apparatus for their quick intervention,” said Cheruto.

The house girl was introduced to the Muhati family four months by a friend who had described her as ‘a humble and hardworking girl’.

When the police questioned Chebet, she said she had been accosted by a gang who ambushed her to a car outside their house and later dropped her in Kisii town.

The house help will be arraigned in court Monday.