Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a prime suspect behind the Kidnapping of Gatuto Primary School Headteacher, Joshua Kerai.
In a statement on Monday, November 11, DCI said the suspect, identified as Patrick Muembe, together with his two accomplices, kidnapped the headteacher on November 4 in Kagumo, Kirinyaga county.
According to the DCI, the suspects bundled Kerai into a Toyota Ractis vehicle and subjected him to a harrowing ordeal.
“Kirinyaga East Sub-County detectives have apprehended a prime suspect behind the kidnapping of Gatuto Primary School Headteacher, Joshua Kerai, which occurred on November 4, 2025, in Kagumo, Kirinyaga County.
“The suspect, Patrick Gacoki Muembe, and his two accomplices, who are still at large, allegedly pounced on the unsuspecting teacher, bundling him into a maroon Toyota Ractis, registration no. KCP 816F, before subjecting him to a harrowing ordeal as they drove him around in circles,” read the DCI statement in part.
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The headteacher was found abandoned in the same vehicle at the Sahara Petrol Station in Kutus Town and was rushed to Kerugoya Catholic Hospital by a good Samaritan, where he received medical attention.
Hawkshaws launched investigations into the kidnapping and combed through forensic evidence and intelligence leads.
The investigations led the sleuths to Muembe’s hideout in Kutus, where he was apprehended and taken into custody.
“Following the chilling incident, detectives swung into action, combing through forensic evidence and intelligence leads. Their trail led them straight to Muembe’s hideout in Kutus, where the notorious suspect was smoked out after days of meticulous pursuit,” DCI stated.
Investigations have since revealed that Muembe is a serial offender, linked to a string of serious crimes, including motor vehicle theft, stock theft, robberies, and shop break-ins across the region.
Meanwhile, the DCI detectives are pursuing additional leads to track and arrest the other two suspects who are on the run.
This comes weeks after detectives nabbed 5 suspects in connection with a kidnapping incident in Ruaka.
In a statement on September 19, DCI said detectives launched the operations after the victim’s girlfriend raised an alarm.
According to DCI, the victim’s girlfriend’s call to his boyfriend was answered by an unidentified voice that demanded a ransom of Ksh500,000 for his safe release.
Following intelligence leads, the DCI detectives trailed the suspects to Ithanga, where they rescued the victim, who was found with multiple injuries and wearing a blood-stained shirt.
During the operation, the detectives impounded two getaway vehicles used by the suspects: a Suzuki Swift with registration number KDD 841D and a Mazda Demio with registration number KDP 468Y.
The officers also recovered a kitchen knife, ten assorted mobile phones, and a tablet, among other items, in the vehicles.
The 5 suspects had already received a ransom of Ksh68,000 before they were apprehended.
