Eldoret women plead guilty to kidnapping sisters, demanding Sh1 million ransom

Two women accused of kidnapping two young sisters have pleaded guilty to the crime.

The duo are now appealing to the court for a plea bargain in exchange for lighter sentences.

Susan Njogi, a former beauty college student, and her co-accused Lucy Ndeda admitted before Eldoret’s Magistrate’s Court that they abducted a three-year-old girl and her ten-year-old sister in the Turbo sub-county of Uasin Gishu on 27 May 2024.

The accused persons stunned the courtroom as they expressed their wish to reach an agreement with the victims’ mother, requesting the court to consider a more lenient punishment due to their cooperation.

“We would like to enter into an agreement with the mother of the victims, in exchange for some concession with the state counsel regarding the charges we are facing,” Njogi told Presiding Magistrate Nancy Barasa.

According to chilling court documents, Njogi and Ndeda not only abducted the two children but also demanded a ransom of Sh1 million from their distraught mother. 

In a harrowing twist, they allegedly threatened to sell the girls if the ransom wasn’t paid, a demand that painted a grim picture of the women’s intentions.

The children had been playing within the compound of their home when their mother briefly stepped out to visit a nearby shop. 

Upon her return, they had vanished. Panicked, she raised the alarm and reported the matter to the authorities, sparking a rapid police search.

The suspects were later apprehended at a hideout within Eldoret town, where they were found in possession of the missing children.

In addition to the kidnapping charges, the pair face a second count of attempting to extort Sh1 million from the children’s mother through threats.

Although they initially denied the charges, both women are currently out on Sh300,000 bond each. 

The court is expected to make a final ruling on the matter on 28 April 2024.