Vehicle Recovered as Man Behind Daring Carjacking Incident is Arrested

The prime suspect behind a carjacking incident that left a motorist injured and his vehicle stolen has been arrested and the car recovered. 

In a statement on Sunday, July 13, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said 38-year-old Musyoka Mutava was apprehended in Makueni by officers from Makindu. 

According to the DCI, Mutava is believed to be the mastermind behind the violent ambush on the driver who had offered a lift to two hitchhikers along the Mombasa-Malaba route.

The incident occurred after the unsuspecting victim, driving a silver Subaru Trezia, picked up two men at Mariakani. 

However, as the vehicle approached Kiunduani Market, one passenger claimed to be alighting, shortly before things quickly turned chaotic.

"One passenger claimed to be alighting. The moment the driver slowed down, chaos erupted; two assailants stormed from a nearby thicket, struck the driver with a blunt object, and vanished with the car and his bag of belongings," the statement read.

Following the incident, the driver was rushed to Makindu Sub-County Hospital where he received treatment and was discharged in stable condition.

An operation by local authorities led them to Ukia in Makueni, where the stolen Subaru was recovered and the key suspect arrested.

Mutava’s accomplices, however, managed to evade arrest, but investigators remain confident that their days are numbered.

"Through forensic leads and tactical pursuit, officers trailed the stolen vehicle to Ukia in Makueni Sub-County, recovering it and apprehending Mutava. However, his accomplices managed to flee the scene but left behind crucial leads," the statement added.

In the course of the operation, police also impounded a getaway motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime. 

A pair of screwdrivers and two sets of vehicle number plates, KDH 486F and KDN 192W, were also seized.

According to the DCI, one of the plates had previously been reported stolen from a parked motor vehicle.

The DCI confirmed that the arrested suspect is currently in custody pending arraignment in court.