The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested four people linked to the abduction and assault of Mombasa blogger, John Kajira.
In an update on its official X page on Monday, September 23, DCI said detectives drawn from the Operations Support Unit and DCI Coast arrested Abdul Hassan Athman, Esther Muthoni, Violet Adera and Haji Babu Ndau Mohamed alias JAY in connection with the incident.
According to the DCI, Athman is said to have been in possession of a motorcycle believed to have been used during the incident.
On the other hand, Mohamed who is a Boda Boda operator is said to have carried the victim but later escaped.
Mohamed was later apprehended in Lukenya, Athi River while traveling on a Dreamline bus, where he was suspected to have been evading law enforcement.
Read More
DCI said the four who are in custody and other individuals who still remain at large are believed to have participated in the abduction and subsequent gang rape and sodomy of Kajira on September 12, 2024.
"Investigations have revealed that on the material day, the victim was accosted by a gang of over 10 individuals riding on motorbikes while in his house at Bamburi Mwisho where they forced their entry into his house by breaking his door.
"Upon realizing that their actions would raise concerns from his neighbours, they deceived him that their mission was to take him to the Mombasa County Governor to apologize for a social media post allegedly made by him abusing the Governor and his family members," DCI said in a statement on X.
After successfully convincing Kajira, DCI said he was thereafter abducted and taken to an unknown location where he was sexually assaulted.
"Investigations have further revealed that while all this was going on, the perpetrators were in constant communication with the planners for guidance on the next cause of action and alleged financial support to facilitate their movement," DCI added.
Following the completion of their atrocious deeds, the suspects placed Kajira in a sack and abandoned him in a thicket while he was unconscious.
Later that evening, the victim regained consciousness and was aided by a good samaritan who helped him return to his home.
DCI said Kajira was later taken to the Coast General and Referral Hospital by his close friends, but he was allegedly denied treatment forcing them to proceed to Beyond Scope Hospital in Kisauni where he was admitted.
The matter was reported at Bamburi Police Station under OB. 32/13/09/2024 and investigations kicked off.
On Monday, the suspects were arraigned at Shanzu Law Court where they were charged with Conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to section 393 of the Penal Code, Abduction with intent to confine contrary to section 259 of the Penal Code, Gang Rape contrary to section 10 of the Sexual Offences Act number 3 of 2006 and Assault causing actual bodily harm contrary to section 251 of the Penal Code where they pleaded not guilty.
The court adjourned till September 26, 2024, when it will deliver a ruling on their application to be released on bond or bail.
The suspects have been remanded at Shimo la Tewa Prison.
-1706424223.jpg)
