Teacher fakes her own kidnap

A primary school teacher who faked her own kidnap and demanded a ransom sum of Sh500,000 has been detained by police for further investigations.

Leah Wanjiru Kanene, a teacher at Uhuru primary, who was arrested on Monday morning in her house, was detained by police for two days to allow for further investigations.

Wanjiru was alleged to have given false information to her sister Julia Njambi on July 18 that she had been abducted by unknown people.

Her sister then reported the matter to Buruburu police station where she sought assistance.
She allegedly called her family and friends and sought help.

Appearing before senior principal magistrate Angelo Kithinji, it is claimed she told her relatives that her abductors were demanding Sh 500,000 as a ransom for her release, or else she would be killed.

Family told police that they raised more than Sh70, 000 which was later discovered to have been withdrawn by the accused person.

But following investigations Police revealed the suspect planned her own kidnap and went to Mombasa leaving behind her young kids with the husband.

She is then said to have booked a hotel where police have information that she was alone and one male visitor would visit her in the room.

During their investigations, police received information she was back in the house. That is when she was arrested.

Police have accused Wanjiru of giving false information that she had been abducted and demanded a ransom for her release.

On Monday the prosecution asked the Court for more time to carry out investigations saying they needed more time to acquire data of the suspect call logs from Safaricom.

"We request the court to give five days to detain the accused. The time will enable us record statements in Mombasa where she had travelled as some of our witnesses are there", the prosecution said.

However, the magistrate Kithinji granted two days upon which the case is due for mention today for plea taking.

But Wanjiru pleaded with the court to release her on grounds that she has a small child who is sick.
She was released on a cash bail of Sh20, 000 or stay in remand at Buruburu police station pending investigations.