Businessman goes missing after carjack

By Cyrus Ombati

A family is appealing for information on the whereabouts of a missing Nairobi businessman, who was carjacked by gunmen outside his home.

Mr Hilary Kimutai Koin was expected at his Nairobi’s South B residence on Saturday night after attending a friend’s party in South C Estate.

Hilary Kimutai Koin

But he was carjacked outside his gate.

His wife, Janet, said they were expecting him late in the night, but were shocked to receive a text message from his mobile phone saying he had been carjacked.

The distraught family spent the better part of on Sunday looking for Koin in vain.

And their hope was rekindled when his car was found abandoned in Buru Buru Estate, and by police assurances that he may still be alive.

"This now worries us more because they (suspected kidnappers) are yet to communicate. We need to know if he is well, what they want and where he is. It is terrible," said Koin’s sister, Sellah.

A worried Janet said her husband’s health could be worsening, because he was on medication.

Police believe Koin is being held captive and the kidnappers could demand ransom.

Other friends who had been with Koin hours before the incident said he had been in a jovial mood and had excused himself to go and rest since he had another engagement on Sunday morning.

"We are shocked to hear he was carjacked," said a friend.

"We had been together before he left alone."

Witnesses and police said Koin, a father of two, had approached his gate in Plainsview Estate, when he ran into the trap of four gunmen, who were carjacking another motorist.

The gangsters blocked and jumped into his car before driving off with another motorist they had attacked.

Sent a message

"One of them was carrying an AK-47 rifle while the rest had pistols. Some jumped into Koin’s car and others into that of the other motorist before driving off," a guard told The Standard.

Koin, who deals with supplies of various services in the city, managed to send a message to his wife informing her he had been carjacked, before his mobile phone went off.

Since then he has not communicated.

"I first heard the watchman saying someone had been carjacked outside the house before my fears were confirmed that it was my husband through a text message. We have been trying to reach him in vain.

"I am appealing to whoever is holding my husband to release him, as his life is in danger because he has not been using his medication," she added.

Police said they were yet to know his whereabouts, but were investigating. Embakasi OCPD Rono Bunei said detectives from the Flying Squad had been mobilised to trace him.

It also emerged police were investigating at least three other kidnapping cases.

"It is disturbing because these criminals are now demanding money from families after taking people hostage, but we will get them," said Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe.