A Ugandan lady who was found guilty of colluding with a man to kidnap twins of her employer who had employed her as a househelp were both sentenced to a total of 21 years by a Thika court.
Gloria Faith Amoit and Godfrey Gitau Njeri were each sentenced to a total of 10 years on two counts of kidnapping by Thika Chief Magistrate Stephen Mbungi. Gloria was sentenced to another one year in jail for being in Kenya illegally. The sentence will run concurrently.
Ann Wanjiru Muthoni and Mary Wangare Kamau who were represented by Mbiyu Kamau, were acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.
The fourth accused person was charged that on March 21 2013 at Membley Estate in Ruiru sub-county of Kiambu county, jointly with others not before the court, separately kidnapped Faith Wangui and Esther Waruguru both aged 16 months with intent to cause the said minors to be secretly and wrongfully confined. The accused denied the charges.
Gloria had been separately charged that on March 25 2013, she was found unlawfully present in Kenya without valid documents authorising her to remain in Kenya which was in total contravention of the Kenyan citizenship and migration Act 2011.
While delivering judgement, Mbungi concurred with the defence lawyer Mbiyu Kamau who in his argument deeply quoted several cases and authorities that stated that being a friend, spouse relative, associate and companion of a criminal did not amount you to be a criminal.
While acquitting Muthoni and Wangare, the magistrate said the duo were victims of circumstance as they were arrested by cops merely because they were friends and suitors of the kidnappers.
The magistrate noted that the case being prosecuted by Chief Inspector Nancy Muthuri, assisted by state counsel EW Gicheha had proved its case against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt.
“I have no doubt that Gloria colluded with the kidnappers to kidnap children left by her employer in her custody and demanded a ransom of Sh2m. I also note that the accused persons dropped the ransom demand to Sh1m before lowering it to Sh0.5m with a threat to kill the captives. This case has a lawful duty to protect the lives of children of every Kenyan and more so, that of helpless children,” said the magistrate.
On each of the two separate kidnap counts, the accused were sentenced to a total of 10 years. Recalling adduced evidence by the prosecution under the auspices chief inspector Nancy Muthuri, the magistrate noted that Gloria was found in possession of the kidnapped twins in Kahawa West of Kiambu county and her phone was being used by Gitau to demand for the ransom.
Gitau was tracked by CID officers from Ruiru Police Division led by Inspector Chebii who is the Ruiru DCIO. He was led to the sleuths to Kahawa West where the kidnapped kids - Lucy Njeru Karuhi and Shadrack Kanyoro Muturi and Gloria were. The captives’ kids commended both the Ruiru CID department led by Inspector Chebu. “We are happy that those who tormented our midst by kidnapping our lovely kids including our house help are brought to book,” he said.
Gloria Faith Amoit and Godfrey Gitau Njeri were each sentenced to a total of 10 years on two counts of kidnapping by Thika Chief Magistrate Stephen Mbungi. Gloria was sentenced to another one year in jail for being in Kenya illegally. The sentence will run concurrently.
Ann Wanjiru Muthoni and Mary Wangare Kamau who were represented by Mbiyu Kamau, were acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.
The fourth accused person was charged that on March 21 2013 at Membley Estate in Ruiru sub-county of Kiambu county, jointly with others not before the court, separately kidnapped Faith Wangui and Esther Waruguru both aged 16 months with intent to cause the said minors to be secretly and wrongfully confined. The accused denied the charges.
Gloria had been separately charged that on March 25 2013, she was found unlawfully present in Kenya without valid documents authorising her to remain in Kenya which was in total contravention of the Kenyan citizenship and migration Act 2011.
While delivering judgement, Mbungi concurred with the defence lawyer Mbiyu Kamau who in his argument deeply quoted several cases and authorities that stated that being a friend, spouse relative, associate and companion of a criminal did not amount you to be a criminal.
While acquitting Muthoni and Wangare, the magistrate said the duo were victims of circumstance as they were arrested by cops merely because they were friends and suitors of the kidnappers.
The magistrate noted that the case being prosecuted by Chief Inspector Nancy Muthuri, assisted by state counsel EW Gicheha had proved its case against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt.
“I have no doubt that Gloria colluded with the kidnappers to kidnap children left by her employer in her custody and demanded a ransom of Sh2m. I also note that the accused persons dropped the ransom demand to Sh1m before lowering it to Sh0.5m with a threat to kill the captives. This case has a lawful duty to protect the lives of children of every Kenyan and more so, that of helpless children,” said the magistrate.
On each of the two separate kidnap counts, the accused were sentenced to a total of 10 years. Recalling adduced evidence by the prosecution under the auspices chief inspector Nancy Muthuri, the magistrate noted that Gloria was found in possession of the kidnapped twins in Kahawa West of Kiambu county and her phone was being used by Gitau to demand for the ransom.
Gitau was tracked by CID officers from Ruiru Police Division led by Inspector Chebii who is the Ruiru DCIO. He was led to the sleuths to Kahawa West where the kidnapped kids - Lucy Njeru Karuhi and Shadrack Kanyoro Muturi and Gloria were. The captives’ kids commended both the Ruiru CID department led by Inspector Chebu. “We are happy that those who tormented our midst by kidnapping our lovely kids including our house help are brought to book,” he said.
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