A senior police officer has been arrested after detectives linked him to an alleged kidnapping and extortion case involving a couple in Githurai, Nairobi.
The arrest followed investigations into an incident in which a husband and wife were allegedly abducted and forced to part with money before one of the suspects was captured, leading police to more arrests.
According to a police occurrence book report filed at Kasarani Police Station, Inspector Kelvin Mwangi, who serves as the Deputy Officer Commanding Station at Drive In Police Post, was arrested on Thursday night. He is being held to assist detectives investigating a kidnapping with intent to commit a felony.
The report, recorded under OB No. 60/30/07/2026, states that the officer’s arrest is connected to an earlier case recorded under OB No. 55/30/07/2026. The earlier report concerns the alleged kidnapping of a husband and wife in the Githurai 44 area.
Police said Inspector Mwangi remains in custody as investigations continue and detectives pursue other suspects who are still on the run.
Investigators said the incident started at about 3 p.m. on Thursday when Kanuti Konrid and his wife, Beatrice Naliaka Njoroge, travelled to Baba Ndogo to deliver an Apple Smart Watch that had been ordered online by a customer.
According to police, the couple was confronted by three men travelling in a white Toyota Axio. The suspects allegedly forced the two into the vehicle, handcuffed them and drove them towards Thika Road before stopping at a petrol station.
While there, the suspects reportedly demanded KSh1 million from the couple in exchange for their freedom.
Police said Konrid managed to withdraw KSh17,000, hoping the money would secure their release. However, the suspects allegedly rejected the amount and drove the couple to an Equity Bank branch in Githurai to obtain more money.
Investigators said Njoroge was allegedly kept inside the vehicle under the watch of the suspects while her husband was instructed to enter the bank and withdraw additional cash.
Once inside the bank, Konrid reportedly informed one of the bank employees that he and his wife had been kidnapped. The employee immediately alerted police officers who were providing security at the bank.
Officers from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit quickly responded to the report. Police said their arrival caused panic among the suspects, who abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, while the driver sped away with Njoroge still inside.
During the operation, responding officers fired warning shots into the air as they attempted to stop the suspects from escaping. They managed to corner and arrest one of the suspects, identified as Stephen Okello Obewa.
Police said Obewa was taken to Kasarani Police Station for questioning. During interrogation, investigators claim he admitted his involvement in the alleged kidnapping and extortion plan.
He also reportedly told detectives that the getaway vehicle belonged to him.According to investigators, Obewa further named his alleged accomplices and claimed that some of them were serving police officers.
This information is said to have played a key role in expanding the investigation.
Police also stated that during the kidnapping, the suspects allegedly stole five mobile phones valued at KSh120,000 together with the Apple Smart Watch that the couple had been delivering.
Following the failed attempt to obtain more money at the bank and the arrest of their alleged accomplice, the remaining suspects are said to have driven away before later releasing Njoroge unharmed along Kamiti Road.
Investigators continued following leads gathered from the case, which later resulted in the arrest of Inspector Mwangi on Thursday evening.
Police believe the officer is connected to a kidnapping and extortion ring believed to be operating within Nairobi.
Detectives are continuing with investigations to establish the full extent of the alleged criminal network and identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations based in Kasarani has taken over the case and is leading the ongoing investigations. Authorities say efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining suspects who escaped during the operation as they work to complete the investigation before presenting the case in court.
