Nyahururu tout goes missing after phone call

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By Albert Nyakundi

Police in Nyahururu are looking for a person suspected to have kidnapped a tout based in the town. James Mwangi Ndung'u was allegedly kidnapped last month after receiving a phone call from a person well known to him. ''My husband spoke to a caller who called him by his name and asked him where he was. Mwangi said he was at our home in Kibathi.It was around 9 am on 12^th of last month,he then left for Nyahururu to meet the caller.'' Said his wife Irene Njeri. She said the husband had told her to meet him at 1 pm in Nyahururu but his phone was not going through at the time.She informed relatives and Mwangi's friends who denied knowledge of the husbands whereabouts. Close to Sh 80,000 had been withdrawn from Mwangi's account by the second day of his disappearance.Njeri reported the matter at Nyahururu police station. A source privy to the matter at Nyahururu police station who sought anonymity as he is not allowed to speak to the press said investigations were underway.''We have managed to get Mwangi's phone serial number and that of his caller.'' Said the source on phone.

 Meanwhile,close to 200 traders from Githurai 45 whose businesses caught fire at the weekend have started building sheds at the site. The Friday night fire that started at about 9 pm behind Kassmatt supermarket reduced everything to ashes. ''I have no words.I have lost everything regarding my business.'' Said Sylvester Gitau of Sakaki Enterprises. Gitau who runs a timber and sofa sets business for the last fifteen years said he lost property worth Sh4.5 million.The immediate cause of the fire could not be established as traders had divergent views some blaming their enemies.They dismissed electricity fault.''As much as I do not want to speculate on anything,I do not think it was caused by electricity.I left my workshop at about 7pm and we usually switch off the machines except the security lights.'' Said Paul Ng'ang'a, a trader. Moses Njagi who supplies building materials and runs a car wash business lost about Shs 3 million.''I use this 20 ft container as a store. I salvaged nothing.Residents have accused the Nairobi City Council for inability to fight the fire and challenged the council to emulate the military personnel from Thika barracks who helped contain the fierce fire.''The soldiers had good equipment as well as back up of water tankers.'' Said Nga'ng'a. Most traders said they relied on bank loans to sustain their businesses.They have appealed to well wishers to help them rise up again.'' We are afraid our customers might now run away.We are appealing to well wishers to help us establish ourselves even if we start from small sheds.'' Said Njagi.Two weeks ago over seventy tenants were rendered homeless in the neighboring Zimmerman estate after their houses caught fire.

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