Five more police officers arrested in connection with abduction of Indian nationals

The total number of police officers in custody over the abduction of two Indian nationals and a Kenyan man, is now nine. [File, Standard]

Five more police officers have been arrested in connection with the July 24, 2022 disappearance of two Indian nationals and a Kenyan.

The five are Police corporals Joseph Mbaya, David Kipsoi, Stephen Mutunda, Paul Muriithi and Simon Gikonyo. According to police, the suspects belonged to the DCI's Special Service Unit, which has since been disbanded.

The five were arrested on Wednesday evening, October 27 at the Internal Affairs Unit Headquarters in Upperhill, Nairobi.

They have been detained at Industrial Area Police Station, awaiting arraignment.

"They are being investigated for the offences of conspiracy to commit a felony and abduction. They will be arraigned on Thursday, October 27," a police report filed at the Internal Affairs Unit Headquarters said.

The five arrests bring the total number of police officers in custody over the disappearance of two Indian nationals and a Kenyan man to nine.

Four police officers Peter Muthee, Francis Muendo, John Mwangi and Joseph Kamau had, last Friday, been arrested over the said-crime.

The missing persons were abducted on Mombasa Road near Ole Sereni Hotel and driven away in a vehicle that did not have registration plates.

The Indian nationals are said to have been in the country as part of President William Ruto's IT team ahead of the August 9, 2022 General Election.

It is suspected that officers of the Special Service Unit, which has since been disbanded, were responsible for the abduction of the Indian nationals, Mohamed Zaid and Ahmad Khan, and the Kenyan man identified as Nicodemus Mwania.

The suspects' lawyer, Danstan Omari, told The Standard that police intend to charge his clients with abduction, abuse of office and conspiracy to commit a felony.

On Wednesday, October 26, officers Peter Muthee, Francis Muendo, John Mwangi and Joseph Kamau moved to the High Court to seek orders to block their detention for 30 days to allow authorities complete investigations into the abduction of the two foreigners and a Kenyan.