Two Indian Nationals Rescued, Three Pakistanis Arrested Over JKIA Kidnapping
Three Pakistani nationals who were found inside the house were immediately arrested. They were identified as Shahzad Haroon, Tariq Muhammad Muneeb and Hassan Waqar.
Suspects: Photo: DCI.
By Robert Mutasi
Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) have rescued two Indian nationals who were kidnapped shortly after arriving at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and arrested three Pakistani nationals suspected of holding them hostage for ransom.
The victims were identified as Sandeep Sandeep and Ishwar Singh, who arrived at JKIA on August 10, 2026, and were cleared through Immigration at around 2:50 pm.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), investigations established that shortly after clearance, the two walked out of the airport and were received by two men outside the terminal. The four then boarded a white Nissan Note and drove off, triggering a missing persons concern when the Indians failed to reach their expected destination.
Working on crucial intelligence leads, OSU detectives launched a swift, intelligence-led operation and trailed the suspects to a bungalow in Tumaini Estate, Nkoroi, in Kajiado South. The estate is located on the outskirts of Nairobi, near Ongata Rongai.
A search of the premises yielded a major breakthrough. Inside one of the bedrooms, detectives found the two Indian nationals bound at the hands and legs and visibly distressed, having been held captive since their arrival.
Three Pakistani nationals who were found inside the house were immediately arrested. They were identified as Shahzad Haroon, Tariq Muhammad Muneeb and Hassan Waqar.
Preliminary investigations further established that the suspects had contacted the victims’ family members in India via WhatsApp and demanded a ransom of USD 32,000, approximately Ksh 4.1 million, for their release.
During the operation, detectives also recovered the victims’ mobile phones, which had been hidden in a bush approximately two kilometres from the house, in what appears to have been an attempt to conceal evidence and prevent the victims from being traced.
The two victims were rescued unharmed and have since been taken for medical check-up and to record statements. The vehicle believed to have been used in the kidnapping, a white Nissan Note, has been impounded as an exhibit.
The three suspects are currently in custody undergoing processing pending arraignment in court. Detectives are continuing to piece together the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and are pursuing further leads into a suspected kidnapping-for-ransom network targeting foreign nationals arriving at JKIA.
The DCI said the incident points to an emerging trend where international travellers are targeted immediately after arrival by organized groups operating around the airport.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains resolute in protecting all persons within Kenya’s borders and will continue to pursue individuals involved in kidnapping, ransom-related crimes and other serious offences,” the DCI said in a statement.
The DCI has urged members of the public and arriving passengers to be vigilant and to use only authorized means of transport from JKIA, and to report any suspicious activity around the airport.
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