In the stillness of Kiamuthambi, a rural settlement in Kirinyaga Central better known for its tea farms than crime, a gang slipped through the gates of a private home and carried out a theft so precise it has left residents shaken and searching for answers.
By morning, a luxury Lexus worth Sh35 million had been stripped of its spare parts.
The vehicle belonged to Rose Muriuki, a businesswoman whose home, family members said, had long been considered secure. That sense of safety was shattered in the early hours of the morning, when more than 20 men reportedly entered the compound under cover of darkness.
Anthony Namanda, the night watchman, said he never saw it coming.
“They came in quietly and tied me up before I could even react,” he recalled. “They knew exactly what they were doing.”
According to the family, the attackers arrived in two vehicles and moved with speed and coordination. After subduing the guard, they gained access to the house. Inside, Ms Muriuki and a female companion were asleep.
Family members said the intruders sprayed an unknown substance into the bedroom. The two women later regained consciousness in hospital hours later, unaware at first of what had unfolded.
Between midnight and 4am, they dismantled the Lexus piece by piece. By the time they left, the vehicle had been stripped of key components. It was a level of precision that stunned even those familiar with car theft.
“This is the first time I’ve seen a vehicle stripped like this,” said John Muriuki Kiama, a relative. “I’ve owned vehicles for over 40 years, but I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Residents gathered later, their conversations tinged with disbelief. Many questioned how such an operation could be carried out so efficiently in a quiet village.
“These people were experts,” said Anne Mwaniki, another family member. “They stripped every part.”
Some residents believe the attackers may have come from outside the area, pointing to the apparent knowledge required to dismantle a high-end vehicle so thoroughly. Police have not confirmed those claims.
Detectives visited the scene and opened an investigation. They have yet to announce any arrests or identify suspects.
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