The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The discovery of a 12-year-old girl who was kidnapped from the Kamkunji area in Nairobi on Sunday, January 21, has brought immense joy as she was found safe and alive.
Joy Muthoni was located near Kyangulu Hills in Kitui county on Friday, and authorities have apprehended the suspect responsible for her abduction.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, in response to reports of her disappearance, pledged a reward of Sh300,000 to anyone assisting him and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in locating the young girl.
“We received information from a source in Kyangulu Hills in Kitui and, accompanied by DCI officers from Nairobi, proceeded there, where we were guided to her location,” Sonko stated during a media briefing after Joy’s recovery.
The girl’s father, James Mwangi, revealed that they were alerted after a neighbor at the place where Joy was found in Kitui questioned her absence from school.
“Joy disclosed her mother’s phone number to the neighbor, who subsequently contacted us. We spoke with Joy over the phone,” Mwangi explained.
He added that upon arrival, they verified Joy’s identity by questioning her about her parents, confirming that she was indeed their daughter.
Although they encountered the suspect during the rescue operation, Mwangi clarified that they had no prior acquaintance with her.
“We are unfamiliar with her, but we learned that the place where she took Joy was her ancestral home,” Mwangi mentioned.
While Joy appears to be in good health, her parents plan to take her to the hospital for a check-up.
Expressing gratitude, Joy’s mother, Nancy Wanjiru, thanked all those involved in the search efforts.
Sonko extended his appreciation to the DCI officers and regional security officials for their swift action in resolving the matter.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to DCI boss Mohamed Amin and the entire DCI teams, both from Kamkunji and Nairobi Regional headquarters, as well as police officers from Tulia police station led by the OCS Nzuki,” Sonko acknowledged.
Emphasizing vigilance, Sonko urged parents to remain cautious to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
CCTV footage from the building where Joy was taken showed the suspect entering the premises and interacting with residents before leaving with Joy.
The suspect claimed to be seeking employment.
Joy, a Grade 8 student, has been reunited with her family, marking the end of a harrowing ordeal.
