NAIROBI, Kenya – A senior police officer has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and attempted extortion of a couple in Nairobi, as detectives intensify investigations into what authorities suspect is a criminal ring involving serving officers.
Inspector Kelvin Mwangi, the Deputy Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Drive In Police Post, was arrested on Thursday night and is being held to assist detectives investigating a kidnapping with intent to commit a felony.
According to a police occurrence book (OB) report filed at Kasarani Police Station under reference OB No. 60/30/07/2026, the officer’s arrest is linked to an earlier kidnapping case recorded as OB No. 55/30/07/2026 involving a husband and wife abducted in Githurai 44.
Police said Inspector Mwangi remains in custody as investigators pursue other suspects who are still at large.
Couple abducted while delivering smartwatch
Investigators said the incident unfolded 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.
The couple was allegedly intercepted by three men driving a white Toyota Axio, forced into the vehicle, handcuffed and driven towards Thika Road.
According to investigators, the suspects later stopped at a petrol station where they demanded KSh1 million from the couple in exchange for their freedom.
Konrid reportedly managed to withdraw KSh17,000, but the suspects rejected the amount and drove the victims to an Equity Bank branch in Githurai. Police said Njoroge was held inside the vehicle while her husband was sent into the banking hall to withdraw more money.
Bank alert foils alleged extortion
Police said Konrid discreetly alerted a bank employee about the kidnapping, prompting officers guarding the bank to notify the Special Crimes Prevention Unit.
As officers responded, the suspects allegedly fled. Three escaped on foot while the driver sped away with Njoroge still inside the vehicle.
During the operation, responding officers fired warning shots before managing to corner and arrest one suspect identified as Stephen Okello Obewa.
Detectives said Obewa later confessed to participating in the crime and disclosed that the getaway vehicle belonged to him.
Police further claimed that during questioning, the suspect identified some of his alleged accomplices as serving police officers.
Victims robbed before woman’s release
Investigators said the suspects robbed the couple of five mobile phones worth approximately KSh120,000, in addition to the Apple Smart Watch they had been delivering.
Following the failed extortion attempt and the arrest of Obewa, the remaining suspects allegedly released Njoroge unharmed along Kamiti Road before fleeing.
Police said intelligence gathered from the ongoing investigation led to the arrest of Inspector Mwangi later that evening.
Authorities believe the officer may be linked to a kidnapping and extortion syndicate operating within Nairobi, although investigations are ongoing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) based in Kasarani is leading the probe as detectives continue searching for additional suspects.
