Gang attacks, robs taxi driver lured into offline ride

Duncan Gachanja Thuo, a resident of Kiserian, was operating at his usual pickup point in Benedicta Utawala, Nairobi, around 4:00 PM when an unknown man approached him. 

The man requested a private, offline ride to Zetech University along Thika Road for an agreed fare of Ksh 3,500. The journey took a dangerous turn near the Witeithie stage on Thika Road.

The passenger asked Thuo to pick up an acquaintance, but four men boarded the vehicle instead, bringing the total number of suspects to five.

Upon entering the vehicle, the gang overpowered Thuo. They bound his hands and feet with sisal rope, blindfolded him, and taped his mouth shut. 

The attackers then drove to GG Farm behind Zetech University, where they dumped the driver before fleeing with his silver Nissan Note, registration number KDW 604Q.

In addition to the vehicle, the robbers stole Thuo's Infinix Hot 30i smartphone, valued at Ksh 30,000, along with his national identity card, driving licence, and taxi driver badge.

Thuo, who sustained soft-tissue injuries to his forehead and elbows during the struggle, managed to report the incident at Witeithie Police Station on Monday evening.

Officers immediately accompanied him to the scene, but neither the suspects nor the vehicle could be found.

Juja Police Commander Isaac Kombo says Police have officially circulated the vehicle's details as stolen, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Juja has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

Kombo is urging online drivers to be cautious while dealing with clients, even as he appeals for those with information regarding the incident to come forward and help police in the ongoing investigation to arrest perpetrators and recover the stolen motor vehicle.