This archive report was first published on 27 August 2021.
On August 27, 2021, a shocking incident unfolded in Thika, Kenya, where a prison officer's plan to kill a Mount Kenya University student over a debt of nearly Sh. 900,000 was foiled by swift action from the police.
Constable Edwin Omuse, a prison officer from Kangeta GK prison in Imenti, Meru, had been duped by the student, identified as Sandra Njoki, who allegedly defrauded him of a significant amount of money.
Omuse's plan to kill Njoki was discovered when a fellow officer, Sergeant Benjamin Ndunda, spotted him carrying a G3 rifle gun in a gunny bag at Kangeta Shopping Centre.
Ndunda immediately alerted the officer on duty, Caroline Wambui, who made a report under the OB number 29/24/8. The police launched a manhunt for Omuse, and detectives from the Special Service Unit, supported by the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, quickly tracked down Njoki's location in Thika town.
After Njoki was moved to safety, detectives lay in wait and arrested Omuse at around 5pm on Wednesday. The firearm, loaded with 20 rounds, was recovered from underneath a sofa in the sitting room.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) issued a warning to university and college students to be cautious of predators who use monetary cords to win their affection.
“The DCI strongly warns and cautions the female youth particularly those in the Universities, Colleges and other tertiary institutions to be wary of predators whose bond of love is premised on monetary cords that are meant to temporarily win their affection. These cords suffer monetary volatility which lead to suicidal and animalistic psychological attacks. Take time to know him and do due diligence,” the DCI cautioned.
