Person of interest in kidnapping of 7-year-old boy in Mwihoko arrested

Person of interest in kidnapping of 7-year-old boy in Mwihoko arrested

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a person of interest in the kidnapping incident of a seven-year-old boy in Mwihoko, Kiambu County.

According to a statement shared by the DCI via social media on Tuesday, February 18, 2024, the 33-year-old man identified as Joseph Muriithi Kibutu was arrested after being linked to the incident that occurred on February 17, 2025.

The arrest, DCI says, was conducted by police officers based at Githurai Police Station.

“A 33-year-old man, Joseph Muriithi Kibutu, has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a seven-year-old boy in the Mwihoko area of Kiambu County on February 17, 2025, following well-coordinated efforts by police officers and detectives based at Githurai Police Station,” the DCI stated.

Kidnapping indident

The boy is said to have disappeared while shopping at Savory Supermarket in Mwihoko, where he had accompanied his parents.

Moments later, the parents are said to have received a call from an unknown number who told them that he had their son and demanded a ransom of Ksh100,000.

“The ordeal began when the child’s parents, while shopping at Savory Supermarket in Mwihoko, suddenly realized their son had vanished. Despite their frantic search, their attempts to find him proved futile. In their moment of desperation, they received a call from an unknown individual who claimed to have their son and demanded a ransom of Sh100,000 for his safe return,” the DCI statement read.

The parents reported the ordeal to the police, who immediately swung into action and flushed the person of interest out of his hideout in the Githurai Railway area.

He is currently undergoing processing as he awaits to be arraigned in court.

“Determined to bring the child home, officers sprang into action. Through forensic trails, they flushed the suspect out of his hideout in the Githurai Railway area. Swiftly, they rescued the missing child and brought him back to his relieved parents, whose joy was palpable. As the family is now reunited, Joseph Muriithi Kibutu remains in custody, undergoing processing as he awaits his court appearance,” the DCI said.