Kenyan student accused of faking kidnap for ransom

Police in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, have arrested a medical student who allegedly faked his own kidnap to demand a ransom from his parents.

The 23-year-old is accused of "disappearing" on Sunday and calling his mother days later to ask for 70,000 Kenyan shillings ($593; £494) in ransom money.

An initial instalment of the ransom was paid on Wednesday, but police say the student went on a drinking spree on the outskirts of the city with a woman who spiked his drink and stole the money.

On Thursday, he allegedly demanded and was paid a second instalment of the ransom but was arrested soon after and the money found stuffed in his shoes.

Police say the student confessed to having squandered the money meant for last semester's fees and faked his kidnap to raise more funds.

The suspect is waiting to be arraigned in court.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

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