Detectives in Thika rescue two women from kidnappers’ hideout; 2 suspects in custody

Detectives in Thika West have rescued two young women from a terrifying kidnap ordeal and arrested two suspects believed to be part of a wider criminal network.

The suspects, identified as Davis Mugambi and John Maina Macharia, were cornered at a house in Muguga following a swift police operation triggered by a tip-off from vigilant members of the public.

Inside the house, officers found the two women visibly shaken, in tears and bearing signs of physical assault. Their mobile phones had been confiscated by the captors in an attempt to cut them off from the outside world.

A search of the premises yielded seven mobile phones, five Safaricom SIM plates, and three Airtel SIM plates. Outside, detectives impounded a vehicle, registration number KDT 998N, believed to have been used to ferry the victims. A closer look inside the car uncovered chilling items, four kitchen knives, seven matchboxes and other suspicious tools.

Preliminary investigations established that the women had been abducted in Nyeri on August 19, 2025, before being transported to Thika in the same vehicle.

Mugambi, police say, is already on Nyeri’s wanted list over a series of kidnapping and theft cases, raising suspicions that the duo may be part of a larger criminal syndicate operating across counties.

The two suspects are being held at Thika Police Station as detectives conclude investigations ahead of their arraignment.