The body of a man who had been abducted was found dumped in a thicket in Juja, Kiambu County.
Stephen Gitonga Gacheru, 75 had been abducted from a parking yard in Thika Town on January 22, 2026.
His body was discovered in Mugutha area on January 23, 2026.
The motive of the murder was not immediately known. The abductors were demanding a ransom for his release or else they would harm him. They could switch on and off his own mobile phone which was receiving the ransom.
His son had sent Sh20,000 as initial fee of ransom that was demanded by the abductors.
The son told police he received a phone call from the father who is a businessman at Kamenu in Thika town asking for Sh20,000 to sort out an emergency.
He sent the money and decided to call him to confirm receipt but his phone was not going through.
He said he became anxious to inquire what was the issue and his mother and sister confirmed they had received the same calls.
The kidnappers were threatening to harm him if they did not send the money, police said.
The family decided to report the matter to the police.
Police pursued the suspects from Thika town to Maanzoni, Nairobi, Utawala, Ruai, Kamulu, Mwihoko in Githurai, Kiriri, Ruiru and Juja area on Thursday.
The team called off their operation at 3 am with no arrest.
On Friday at about 10 am, the man’s body was found murdered and dumped in Mugutha area which was confirmed and identified as Stephen Gitonga Gacheru.
The family had give to where he had parked his vehicle during the day within Thika Town and found it at the parking yard.
Police moved the body to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
Police said they were yet to make any arrest in connection with the murder and abduction
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