Amid growing concerns over a surge in abductions across Kenya, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) faced a tense confrontation in Kirinyaga County.
While conducting an operation to arrest a suspect in Kiamanyeki, Mwea, the officers encountered an irate crowd accusing them of being potential abductors. The residents claimed the officers failed to identify themselves, fueling suspicion and fear.
The situation escalated when the crowd attempted to attack the officers and set their Subaru Impreza vehicle on fire, citing fears of police involvement in the alleged abduction cases—a claim authorities have consistently denied.
Fortunately, the detectives escaped without injuries after dispersing the mob. Local law enforcement arrived shortly after to help defuse the standoff. National Police Service spokesperson Resilla Onyango acknowledged the incident, promising further action, though no official statement had been released by the time of reporting.
The rise in reported abduction cases continues to alarm the public, with the most recent involving a man allegedly kidnapped in broad daylight in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County. Police claim the individual was caught attempting to rob an MPESA shop and was apprehended near Magadi Road, as shown in circulating CCTV footage. However, skeptics have dismissed the explanation as a potential cover-up, fueling further mistrust.
