How thug’s severed finger gave him away after conducting robbery in Nakuru bishop’s house

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 25 Feb, 2020 12:38 | 2 mins read
Police in Nakuru have arrested two suspected robbers, who, on Feb. 1, broke into the home of a bishop, and harmed the preacher and his wife. [PHOTO | COURTESY]
Police in Nakuru have arrested two suspected robbers, who, on Feb. 1, broke into the home of a bishop, and harmed the preacher and his wife. [PHOTO | COURTESY]
Police in Nakuru have arrested two suspected robbers, who, on Feb. 1, broke into the home of a bishop, and harmed the preacher and his wife. [PHOTO | COURTESY]

By George Kori

Police in Nakuru County have arrested two suspected robbers, who, on February 1, broke into the home of a Molo-based bishop, and harmed the preacher and his wife.

The suspects, Joseph Kuria and Peter Ndung’u, were arrested Sunday night while hiding in different locations within Molo; one was at Tayari area, whereas the other was at a place known as Jogoo.

The suspects were tracked down to their hideouts after Ndung’u accidentally cut off his finger while hacking their victim, Bishop Paul Gitonga, in the head.

Bishop Gitonga’s brother-in-law, Simon Munene, told K24 Digital that a nanny at the bishop’s home, who was doing a thorough cleaning Sunday, found the finger under one of the seats. The house-help alerted Munene, who took the finger to Molo Police Station, where a fingerprint scanning was done. The results confirmed the finger belonged to one Peter Ndung’u.

Police, thereafter, used phone signals to track down Ndung’u, who upon being arrested, led the law enforcement officers to the hideout of his accomplice, Joseph Kuria.

Bishop Paul Gitonga of Voice of Gospel Church in Molo and his spouse, Eunice Gitonga, were, on Saturday, February 1, attacked using a panga and blunt object respectively. Paul was hacked in the head and arm, whereas Eunice was hit in the head with a metallic rod.

According to Eunice’s brother, Simon Munene, the thugs gained access to the room of the couple’s children — two teenage girls — after breaking the window at Gitonga’s Milimani Estate home in Molo.

“They ordered the girls — who are high school students — to go and bring their parents, particularly Bishop Gitonga. When my brother-in-law went to the children’s room, the thugs ordered he gives them money that he had kept in the house. The bishop said he never stored cash in the house. It was at that point that the criminals brandished a panga and hacked Gitonga in the head and arms. His wife, who had rushed to the room to find out what was happening, was bludgeoned in the head using a blunt object” Simon Munene told K24 Digital.

Bishop Gitonga and his wife, who were unconscious at the time, were taken to Nairobi Women’s Hospital, where they received treatment.

Milimani Estate resident, Njoroge Mwangi, told K24 Digital that security has been deteriorating in the area, with several home burglaries reported in the recent past.

Mwangi urged security officers in Molo to increase evening patrols to avert attacks similar to that meted out on Gitonga and his spouse.

“Some residents have been forced to move to other neighbourhoods due to fear of being attacked, or even killed by gangsters,” said Mwangi.

Molo Deputy County Commissioner, David Wanyonyi, confirmed the incident.

Following the arrest of the suspected thugs, Molo residents have commended police for swift action in apprehending the two.

Charles Marioko, the chairperson of the Molo Traders’ Association, urged police to now concentrate on criminals who are targeting mobile money shops in the area.