Taxi Company Uncovers Blunder Triggering Abduction Of Ciku Muiruri's Daughter

It further disclosed that the details of the vehicle ordered did not correspond with that of the car that showed up on the fateful day.

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Jun 13, 2023 - 11:54
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Taxi Company Uncovers Blunder Triggering Abduction Of Ciku Muiruri's Daughter
Media personality, Ciku Muiruri. /FILE

A taxi-hailing company on Tuesday, June 13 broke its silence after it was dragged into the kidnapping ordeal of media personality Ciku Muiruri's daughter, Erica Njeri Gachoka, which saw two suspects arrested.

In a statement, the company explained that it worked with authorities to provide information that aided authorities in getting to the bottom of the matter.

It further disclosed that the details of the vehicle ordered did not correspond with that of the car that showed up on the fateful day.

A fleet of taxi vehicles. /FILE

"We are aware of the recent safety incident and deeply appreciate the local authorities' efforts to ensure that the two young girls were found and safely reunited with their families. We proactively collaborated with the authorities to provide pertinent information regarding this case that supported the conclusion of this investigation.

"We strongly discourage the use of vehicles that do not match the details on the platform, as this was one of the issues that led to this unfortunate incident. To address this, we show riders the driver and car verification details when they request a ride," the company stated.

The company called upon Kenyans using its online services to countercheck the driver and vehicle details before boarding the car.

"Riders are encouraged to confirm that the driver and car registration details during their pickup match those on the app. We immediately block drivers that exhibit such behaviour.

"We also introduced the driver selfie check feature on the platform to enhance safety and prevent driver impersonation and account sharing," the firm added.

The taxi-hailing company also clarified its security measures in place including an SOS emergency button on its driver and rider applications that can be used to alert, and seek for security and/or first-response medical assistance at any time during an active trip.

Gachoka and her friend, Shanice Agose, 27, were said to have been abducted in Nairobi's Westlands area on Sunday, June 4 as they took a taxi home.

The successful operation culminated in their rescue from a house in Juja Ward, Witeithie area, off Thika Road, where they were discovered, and the two suspects holding them arrested.

"After the party, the two requested a ride to Kilimani, via the taxi application. But when the ride arrived along Rhapta road in Westlands and they got in, the driver threatened them using a hammer before speeding off towards Thika.

"Investigations into the abduction were immediately launched as the detectives trailed the suspects who operated between Nairobi, Thika, Ruiru and Witeithie in Kiambu County. The abductors demanded a ransom of Ksh250,000 from each of the two, in order to release them," stated the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in part.

The DCI officers raided a house in the Ngoigwa area in Thika, where two suspects Timothy Kiragu, 34 and Samuel Kipkurui, 33 were arrested. After a brief interview, the duo led detectives to Gatukuyu in Mang’u, Kiambu County, where the two women were rescued. 

Assorted crude weapons and fake motor-vehicle number plates were recovered from the suspects.

The two suspects arrested over the kidnap of Ciku Muiruri's daughter. /DCI

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