A Kenya Defence Forces soldier was abducted by a gang that robbed, before injuring him in an attack in Mumias, Kakamega County.
Corporal Onesmus Wekesa based at the Defence Force Recruit Training School in Eldoret was returning to his workstation after being off-duty in the village when the incident happened on February 2.
The soldier was attacked on Sunday by the gang that was in a private car.
He said he was waiting for a matatu in Kanduyi when the car, a Toyota Fielder stopped, and the driver offered to carry whoever was ready to travel to Nakuru.
Oblivious of the dangers ahead, he boarded the car hoping to reach his destination.
The soldier said the five occupants turned out to be criminals when they reached Webuye.
The driver made a U-turn before a gunny bag was wrapped around his head while threatening to harm him.
Wekesa was robbed of Sh5,000, a military service identification card, and his mobile phone which had Sh4,000 in the Mpesa wallet.
During the drama, he was hit severely on the chest with something like a hammer causing him chest pains.
The gang forced him to raise money from his two friends totaling Sh5,000 before being dumped at Butuyi area where he sought treatment at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital after sustaining injuries on the chest.
He later reported the matter at Mumias police station.
Police said they are pursuing the attackers. This is the latest such incident to happen. Such cases affect private cars that offer lifts to passengers on long distances.
Police discourage the public from using private cars for their transport.
A similar attempt left one suspect with serious injuries when their target turned out to be an armed police officer who was returning to work.
He shot and injured one suspect as other accomplices escaped in Kericho.
Police say investigations are ongoing into the trend.
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