Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Just a few days ago, protests erupted along the Nyeri-Nyahururu Highway after the mysterious disappearance of Simon Mwangi Githinji, popularly known as ‘Saimo’ within the community.
The incident saw dozens of
agitated residents block the busy road for hours as they demanded answers.
Mwangi’s motorbike had been
found abandoned near Solio Ranch, while his phone, strangely dry despite a
heavy downpour, was recovered on the ranch grounds the following day, raising
more questions than answers.
Now, Mwangi has come forward with a harrowing
account of his disappearance, alleging that he was kidnapped, beaten, and left
tied to a tree in the forest for two days.
Speaking to a local news
outlet, Mwangi recounted how he was intercepted by five men in plain clothes
who claimed to be security guards from Solio Ranch.
“They accused me of
trespassing and forced me to follow them to the ranch office, but instead, they
dragged me into the forest, beat me, tied me to a tree, and left me there,”
Mwangi revealed.
He described how he spent two
cold, terrifying nights, hearing the growls of wild animals nearby and fearing
for his life.
The attackers, who Mwangi
says were armed with batons, also stripped him of his possessions, taking Ksh
13,000 meant for his daughter’s school fees and leaving his family devastated.
His wife, Irene, said the
family endured hours of uncertainty, only for Mwangi to be released after
protests escalated, forcing his alleged captors to let him go.
Residents say this is not an
isolated case.
According to Francis Wanjohi,
a relative of Mwangi, “For years, locals have faced intimidation and harassment
near the ranch. Even using public roads has become risky.
How can we continue living in fear in our own home?” Solio Ranch management, however, has denied any involvement.
In a statement, the ranch’s
Security Manager, identified only as Mr. Omar, dismissed the claims, saying
their guards had assisted in the search for Mwangi.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS),
which collaborates with the ranch on security matters, also stated that its
officers were not involved.
The police, who locals accuse of being slow to act during the search, have launched forensic investigations into Mwangi’s phone records.
“We are investigating the phone’s movements and
are committed to uncovering the truth,” Kieni West Sub-County Police Commander
Samuel Ndegwa said.
Mwangi says he now lives in constant fear while his daughter remains out of school.
The Kenyan DAILY POST.
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