This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
On January 8, 2020, a Wang'uru court in Kenya heard the case of a man accused of kidnapping two sisters in a bid to extort Sh200,000 from their parents.
Thomas Miano, the alleged kidnapper, was charged with abduction on December 29, 2019, at Mwathaini village in Kirinyaga County. He is accused of abducting the 12-year-old and two-year-old girls.
Mr. Miano denied the charges and applied for bail, arguing that the offense was bailable and that he should be released to attend court while coming from his home.
However, the prosecution opposed the bail application, citing that Mr. Miano should be held in police custody until the probation officer's report is ready.
Magistrate Miriam Mugure ordered the accused to be locked up until January 21, 2020, when he will renew his bail application.
The court heard that the children were kidnapped after attending a Sunday service at a nearby church and were held hostage for eight days before being released.
