Convict escapes the gallows after eight-year nightmare

Kenya: Rolf Rainer Schmid was a renowned German hotelier, the proprietor of The Horseman in Karen, Rolf’s Place in Kitengela and the first African Heritage Restaurant. He was a sportsman, a sharp shooter who represented Kenya in the All African Games. He also served as a police reservist.

On January 20, 2006, a gang of seven men armed with guns and other weapons raided his home in Kitengela at around 6.30pm when the family was away. They seized the watchman and other workers and held them hostage as they waited for Rainer’s family to return home.