Kirinyaga East Sub-County detectives have arrested a prime suspect behind the shocking kidnapping of Gatuto Primary School Headteacher, Joshua Kerai, which occurred on November 4, 2025, in Kagumo, Kirinyaga County.
The suspect, identified as Patrick Gacoki Muembe, allegedly orchestrated the abduction along with two accomplices who are still at large.
According to police reports, the trio pounced on the unsuspecting teacher, forcefully bundling him into a maroon Toyota Ractis, registration number KCP 816F.
The victim was then subjected to a terrifying ordeal as the assailants drove him around in circles, leaving him in a state of panic and distress.
Fortunately, the headteacher was later discovered abandoned inside the same vehicle at Sahara Petrol Station in Kutus Town. A quick-thinking good Samaritan rushed him to Kerugoya Catholic Hospital, where he received urgent medical attention for the trauma endured during the harrowing episode.
Following the incident, detectives launched an intensive investigation, combing through forensic evidence and acting on intelligence leads. Their efforts paid off when they traced Muembe to a hideout in Kutus. After days of careful surveillance and strategic planning, the suspect was finally apprehended.
Further investigations have revealed that Muembe is a notorious serial offender. Law enforcement officials have linked him to a series of serious crimes, including motor vehicle theft, stock theft, robberies, and multiple shop break-ins across the region. His arrest is seen as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal activities in Kirinyaga County.
The suspect remains in police custody as detectives continue to gather more evidence and pursue his two accomplices, who are still evading arrest. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could aid in the capture of the remaining suspects.
By Kithinji Njeru
