Nairobi News

Following a week long ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, the daughter of media personality Ciru Muiruri, Erica, and her friend, Shanice, were finally rescued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers on Sunday, June 11, 2023. The ladies had been kidnapped by the driver a taxi which they hailed from an infamous taxi hailing app on June 2, 2023. In the vehicle, another man hid in the boot of the car before they pounced on the ladies who had been leaving a party in Westlands and headed home to Kilimani.

In a long statement, Ciru Muiruri announced that her daughter had been rescued and had revealed some of the things they had gone through since they were kidnapped. Ms Muiruri made these witness testimonies public.

“They were locked in the car (doors had child lock activated) and there was a second man hiding in the boot. Attempts to fight them led to Erica being hit on her head and lower leg with a hammer but she did not sustain serious injury. Her friend had cuts on her hand from trying to pull a knife that had been held to her throat by the man in the back.

Thereafter they agreed to co-operate until their ransom was paid. The place was dingy, hidden. The conditions were very cold. But they were fed daily. The kidnappers wanted 500k for both of them. They sent messages to both myself and her friend’s mom. On Day 7 (Monday) of the Corpus Christi Novena I asked for your prayers. And now I must thank you because you came through in the biggest way and stormed heaven with those prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Ms Muiruri.

The two young ladies were found in an empty bedsitter in Gatokoyo.

“Some prayed for confusion, the girls say those guys looked like they were unsure what was happening on many an occasion. Some prayed for them to be unwell, the girls say that the kidnappers were complaining they were coming down with something. Some prayed for unraveling, Erica says even the building felt like it was falling apart just like the plans of the kidnappers. Some prayed for Grace, Erica says she was enveloped with a peace she has never experienced. I had that too. So much so that I refused to pay a single shilling to these men. I did not want them to do this to any other family. I did not want to reward bad behavior.

So we prayed for protection. They did not lay a finger on the girls. Please note for your own protection that they told the girls that the Bolt App has many crooks from different gangs doing the exact same thing! He told them: “Stay away from Bolt especially after midnight.” Ms Muiruri added.

Ms Muiruri further revealed how she committed herself to prayer both in church and at home, vowing not to eat until her daughter was brought back home.

“Friday and Saturday saw visits to the Adoration Chapel and all my chats with Jesus had the same response: It is well with Erica, fear not. I was at peace. A friend sent me an amazing testimony of being delivered from kidnappers by a miracle of God. Sunday, I go for Mass. It’s Corpus Christi Sunday. At consecration of the Host I chat with Jesus: “Wouldn’t it be nice if she came home today, on this very special solemnity marking Your Sacrament of Love?” He answered me just as He had all week … It is well,” added Ms Muiruri.

She also revealed how the kidnappers had demanded money from her or they would do something terrible to her daughter; and recorded a video for her to watch but Ms Muiruri refused to cooperate.

According to the DCI, the taxi driver arrived along Rhapta road in Westlands and they got in, the driver threatened them using a hammer before speeding off towards Thika.

“Investigations into the abduction were immediately launched as the detectives trailed the suspects who operated between Nairobi, Thika, Ruiru and Witeithie in Kiambu County. The abductors demanded for a ransom of Sh250,000 from each of the two, in order to release them. Yesterday, the officers raided a house in Ngoigwa area in Thika, where two suspects Timothy Kiragu, 34 and Samuel Kipkurui, 33 were arrested. After a brief interview, the duo led detectives to Gatukuyu in Mang’u, Kiambu County, where the two women were rescued.  Assorted crude weapons and fake motor vehicle number plates were recovered from the suspects,” said the DCI.

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