Police searching for kidnapped athlete Njenga

Local authorities have launched investigations into a carjacking cum kidnapping incident involving Japan-based athlete Daniel Njenga who went missing on Tuesday afternoon and whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Njenga, a former World Junior record holder in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, was carjacked along the Nyahururu-GiliGil along the Nyahururu-GiliGil road and allegedly kidnapped as he went to pick his daughter at the Pembrooke Schools in Gilgil.

The Nyandarua North OCPD Timon Odino said police are searching for the athlete who was recruited to Japan by Japanese coach Konihero Nikkaido as a young athlete and where he has enjoyed a stellar career.

Njenga was reportedly abducted by armed men along Ol Kalou Gil Gil road and has since not been traced putting the entire Nyahururu athletic fraternity and his family in fear for his life.

According to Odino, the athlete who was in the country since April had gone to pick his last born daughter from school as is his norm when he was abducted.

It was when he had left Ol Kalou town when reports indicated that he was abducted at unknown place and his car stolen.

He was driving in a black X-Trail model personal vehicle registration number KCG 317 B which is still yet to be recovered.

“The athlete usually picks the daughter on a daily basis from the school and always drops her in the morning when he is in the country. He had left Nyahururu at around 3 pm but never got home,” he said.

He noted that the school management alerted the mother Monicah Njenga that the child had not been picked and that was when the search for him started.

The OCPD noted that the incident was reported at Gil Gil police station and investigations launched.

Odino that according to police investigations, he last used his mobile phone at Wanjohi area in Kipipiri.

“This is where he made his last calls, many kilometers from his place of destination” he noted.

He said that police have information that the car was later spotted driving towards Nairobi at Kinungi area later that day.

“We have people who spotted the vehicle driving towards Nairobi complicating the whole issue. We are still following its location,” he said.

Odino noted that police have combed the entire Wanjohi area in search of the athlete all in vain but said that investigations were ongoing.

Njenga is the owner of several business premises in Nyahururu among them the Nyahururu Olympia Hotels and Nyahururu Sports Arena hotel.

-Report by Peter Njenga.