A family photo with Kelson Kimani in the middle that went viral on social media. photo/COURTESY

Enhance the kidnapping laws to deter perpetrators

Kidnapping for ransom is happening again in Kenya, after the crime declined a few years ago with the requirement that all SIM cards be registered against the buyer’s ID card details.

Ransom demands by mobile phone became much more dangerous for perpetrators.

As the story of Kelvin Kimani (see page 28) demonstrates, kidnapping is a parent’s worst nightmare. Kelson was kidnapped on the Thika Section 9 Estate on Friday and held for Sh2.2 million.

However, he was rescued on Tuesday, by Flying Squad and Special Crime Prevention Unit officers at Kasarani.

Three individuals were intercepted as they moved the four-year-old from Ruaka to Mwiki.

Section 257 of the Penal Code, Punishment for kidnapping, reads, “Any person who kidnaps any person from Kenya or from lawful guardianship is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

The law should be fortified to provide much more deterrent punishments of the offences of abduction, wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement for ransom.

Source: The Star