The case of Mercy Awuor, initially reported as an abduction victim lured by a lucrative job opportunity, has taken a shocking twist.
Police investigations revealed that Awuor, with the help of her husband Gorge Ogada, staged the kidnapping in an attempt to extort money from loved ones.
The National Police Service launched an operation with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau to trace her whereabouts.
The scheme unraveled after Brian Andole, Awuor’s other partner, reported the alleged abduction, stating kidnappers demanded Ksh150,000 for her release.
On November 13, authorities arrested a suspect, Chiranzi Tsuma Mbaru, in Gitaru, after linking his phone to the ransom demands.
However, further inquiries cleared him of involvement. Investigators then tracked Awuor’s last phone signal to Narok South, where they found her at Ogada’s house.
Both Awuor and Ogada were arrested and escorted to Nairobi.
The pair could face serious charges, including providing false information to law enforcement, an offense under Section 129 of the Penal Code.
The incident sparked public interest as Awuor’s story initially gained sympathy when Andole gave a heartfelt but questionable TV interview.
He recounted how Awuor allegedly called him in distress, claiming she was being transported in a Toyota Probox, and relayed a chilling ransom demand.
Police Statement on the arrest of Mercy Awuor with her husband:
“On November 9, 2024, a report of Kidnapping was made at Kitsuru Police Station by Brian Andore that his wife, Mercy Awuor had been kidnapped by unknown people who had promised her job opportunity but were instead demanding a ransom of Ksh.150,000/-
The DCI Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and Operations teams embarked on the assignment to rescue the victim, and on November 13, 2024, they arrested one suspect namely Chiranzi Tsuma Mbaru at Gitaru area.
It had been reported that his mobile phone number was used to demand the ransom, which later turned out to be false.
On November 16, 2024, the team proceeded to Oldonyo Orok, Narok South where the victim’s number was lastly located, and found her at her husband’s house, one GEORGE ODADA together with her two children.Preliminarily investigation has established that there was no kidnap but rather love affairs, love triangle and family issues.
Consequently, both are being escorted to Nairobi for further interrogation, statement taking, and processing.
The National Police Service takes the opportunity to emphasize that it is an offence under Section 129 of the Penal Code for anybody to give false information to a Public Officer, in this case, Police Officers.”
Fake kidnapping incidents in Kenya
This case mirrors a similar incident in September 2024 when three teenagers in Meru County faked a kidnapping in a scheme to defraud Ksh6 million from one of their parents. Police successfully foiled that plot as well.
The unfolding of such elaborate schemes raises concerns about the misuse of law enforcement resources and the societal implications of fake kidnapping cases.
Authorities continue to urge the public to report genuine incidents while condemning those who exploit such crimes for personal gain.
