NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives have rescued two Indian nationals who were allegedly kidnapped shortly after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and arrested three Pakistani nationals suspected of holding them hostage in Kajiado County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the rescue followed a swift, intelligence-led operation conducted by detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU).
The two victims, identified as Sandeep Sandeep and Ishwar Singh, arrived at JKIA on August 10, 2026, and were cleared by immigration at about 2:50 p.m.
Investigators said the two men walked out of the airport shortly after completing immigration formalities, where they were received by two unidentified men.
The four then boarded a white Nissan Note and drove away from the airport.
Detectives trace victims to Kajiado
Working on what the DCI described as crucial investigative leads, detectives traced the vehicle and its occupants to a bungalow in Tumaini Estate, Nkoroi, Kajiado South.
A search of the premises yielded a breakthrough when detectives discovered the two missing men inside one of the bedrooms.
According to investigators, the victims had been bound by their hands and legs and were visibly distressed when they were found.
Three Pakistani nationals who were at the house were arrested.
The suspects were identified as Shahzad Haroon, Tariq Muhammad Muneeb and Hassan Waqar.
Ransom demand made to victims’ families
Investigations have established that the suspects allegedly contacted the victims’ family members in India through WhatsApp after the kidnapping.
The suspects reportedly demanded USD 32,000 in ransom in exchange for the victims’ release.
During the operation, detectives also recovered the victims’ mobile phones.
The devices had allegedly been hidden in a bush approximately two kilometres from the house, according to the DCI.
The recovery of the phones is expected to assist investigators as they reconstruct the movements of the victims and suspects and establish how the alleged kidnapping was organised.
Suspects held as investigations continue
The three suspects remain in police custody and are undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment in court.
Detectives are continuing investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and determine whether the suspects are connected to a wider kidnapping-for-ransom network.
The DCI said it remains committed to protecting people within Kenya’s borders and pursuing individuals involved in kidnapping, ransom-related crimes and other serious offences.
