Three individuals have been apprehended by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following allegations of kidnapping and robbing a pastor near Nyayo Stadium on Thursday, February 22. The victim, identified as a pastor affiliated with Christ Church, recounted to law enforcement officials that he was en route to a nearby restaurant following his involvement in organizing the forthcoming Benny Hinn crusade scheduled for Saturday.
Robbing the Pastor
As per the DCI’s account, the pastor was abruptly confronted and forcibly ushered into a waiting sedan, where he was subjected to indignities including being stripped of his clothing and photographed. Under coercion, the assailants coerced him into divulging his mobile money PIN, threatening to disseminate the compromising images on social media should he fail to comply. Succumbing to the pressure, the pastor transferred a sum of Ksh55,000 to one of the perpetrators’ phones, after which he was released devoid of his possessions.
In response to the report lodged at Nyayo Police Post, the DCI meticulously analyzed forensic evidence, leading them to Village Apartment House No F2 in Syokimau, where the initial suspect was apprehended. Subsequent to a search of the premises, three mobile devices were seized, including an iPhone 13 hosting the SIM card utilized in the illicit transaction, along with a PDQ bank card swapping machine.
Following interrogation, the suspects divulged the whereabouts of their confederate in Kitengela, resulting in the second suspect’s apprehension in possession of the pastor’s phone. The third accomplice was captured along Katani Road near Syokimau. The trio has since been remanded at Langata Police Station pending their arraignment on Monday.
The timing of these events coincides with the impending visit of Benny Hinn, a prominent American pastor, who is slated to conduct a large-scale crusade at Nyayo National Stadium on February 24 and 25. This marks Hinn’s second visit to Kenya, facilitated by an invitation extended by First Lady Rachel Ruto.
