Two suspects arrested as kidnapped university students rescued in Kitengela

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have rescued two 21-year-old university students who were reportedly kidnapped on October 27, 2023.

The students, the DCI says, were separately lured to an AirBnB in Kitengela, Kajiado County, by a yet-to-be-identified female suspect where they encountered two armed men who held them captive while demanding for a Ksh.6 million ransom from their kin.

"The suspects, Brian Ombasa Omoso, 25 and Humphrey Hinga, 22 who have since been ushered into our cells are believed to have been working jointly with the female dangerous damsel on the loose to identify and lure targeted victims, in their no-sweat approach to soft life.

"In the case reported at Kiambu Police Station on Oct 29, the lady who identified herself to the victims as Debbie Zablon separately lured the duo for a meet-up at a common venue before surrendering the 21-year-olds to her accomplices," the DCI said in a statement.

Once the family of the kidnapped students reported the matter to the DCI, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau detectives sprung into action, subjecting all possible leads to forensic analysis.

"In their findings, it emerged that the female accomplice had used a stolen ID card to register the line which she used to communicate with the male students," the DCI said.

"Indeed, the legitimate owner of the ID card had earlier reported its loss at Lang'ata Police Station, a move that exonerated her from the suspects' mix."

Subsequent investigations led detectives to the AirBnB in Kitengela, where they found the students alongside their captors.

A fake gun, a dagger, multiple SIM cards and a bogus vehicle registration license were recovered at the scene.

"Detectives had a challenging moment leading the suspects to the waiting police car, as curious locals thronged the scene for a view and a share of a pound of flesh from the suspects," the State agency said.

A manhunt for the female suspect is currently underway.