Online Taxi Driver Abducted and Robbed After Accepting Offline Ride to Kiambu

An online taxi driver was allegedly abducted, robbed and abandoned on a farm after accepting an offline passenger who requested a private ride from Nairobi to Kiambu County on Monday.

Duncan Gachanja Thuo, a resident of Kiserian, was operating from his usual pickup point in Benedicta, Utawala, Nairobi, at around 4pm when an unidentified man approached him.

The man reportedly requested an offline trip to Zetech University along Thika Road, offering to pay an agreed fare of Ksh3,500.

Passenger Turns Into a Gang

According to police, the journey took a dangerous turn near Witeithie stage along Thika Road when the passenger asked Thuo to pick up an acquaintance.

Instead, four other men reportedly boarded the vehicle, bringing the number of suspects to five.

The group allegedly overpowered the driver after getting into the vehicle.

Police say the attackers tied Thuo's hands and feet with sisal rope, blindfolded him and taped his mouth shut before driving away.

The suspects eventually drove to GG Farm behind Zetech University, where they abandoned the driver and fled with his vehicle.

Driver Loses Vehicle and Personal Belongings

The stolen vehicle is a silver Nissan Note, registration number KDW 604Q.

The suspects also allegedly took Thuo's Infinix Hot 30i smartphone, valued at approximately Ksh30,000, together with his national identity card, driving licence and taxi driver's badge.

Thuo sustained soft-tissue injuries to his forehead and elbows during the confrontation.

Despite his injuries, he managed to report the incident at Witeithie Police Station on Monday evening.

Police officers accompanied him to the location where he said he had been abandoned, but the suspects and the vehicle were no longer at the scene.

Police Launch Investigation

Juja Police Commander Isaac Kombo said officers have officially circulated details of the vehicle as stolen as investigations continue.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office in Juja has also launched a formal investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending the suspects and recovering the stolen vehicle.

Police are appealing to members of the public who may have information about the vehicle or the suspects to come forward.

Warning to Online Drivers

Kombo has urged online taxi drivers to exercise greater caution when accepting clients, particularly when passengers request trips outside the established ride-hailing platforms.

The incident highlights the security risks faced by drivers who accept offline bookings, where passenger details and trip information may not be captured through an official ride-hailing system.

Police have called on anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report it to the relevant authorities as efforts continue to arrest those responsible and recover the stolen vehicle.