Jane Mugoh Narrates Chilling Encounters with Police That Made Her Nearly Quit Spy Job
- In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Jane Mugoh explained how she was trailed and defamed after exposing officials plotting to illegally seize a foreigner's property
- In another case, she recounted being kidnapped and injured while pursuing a murder case involving a retired military officer
- Mugoh explained how some police officers interfere with investigation processes, but also appreciated the majority of top officials who have worked with her to enforce order
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Private detective Jane Mugoh has opened up about some of the darkest moments in her 22-year career, revealing how threats and intimidation from rogue government officials nearly pushed her to quit the job she deeply loves.
Source: Twitter
In one disturbing case, Mugoh says she was investigating a controversial deportation plot involving an Indian couple and corrupt immigration officers who were allegedly working with the three rogue police officers to seize the couple’s inheritance.
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, she claimed the scheme involved the illegal confiscation of property and firearms, with some officials reportedly conspiring to take control of the estate after the couple’s relative died.
As she pursued the case, Mugoh said she became a target. The investigator recounted how her children were followed to school and threats were made against her life.
“A DCI officer I was working with told me that the government officials had planned to kidnap me. I had to hide while my children stayed with a house help,” she said.
The harassment, which took place in 2019, escalated when the officials posted her online with defamatory labels, which led her to consider resigning. However, support from Kenyans helped her regain strength.
"I was almost quitting my job for the sake of my children and of my peace. It was the worst moment of my life. I thank God Kenyans fought for me including police officers, my client, lawyers, and family. Their support gave me the courage to continue,” she added.
Was Jane Mugoh kidnapped?
In another harrowing experience, Mugoh, a Criminology graduate from Kenyatta University and a former undercover agent with the DCI, said she was kidnapped and assaulted while investigating a murder case involving a chief nurse from Busia.
Source: Twitter
After arresting the suspects who reportedly confessed, she claims the mastermind—a military officer whose whereabouts remain unknown—allegedly used his influence to bribe the accused and derail the case.
The 2021 Eldoret incident happened while she was on her way to arrest the prime suspect. She was ambushed by a group of men in several vehicles, beaten, and left with permanent scars.
"I still bear the scars from fighting for a woman’s justice — a battle that made me stronger. Some officers involved have since died, retired, and others were suspended," she stated.
The private investigator, who has worked with successive governments since the late former president Mwai Kibaki, is credited with investigating major cases, including the NYS scandal in which KSh 88 billion was recovered for the Kenyan government.
She has also worked on high-profile murder cases and the 'Western Underworld' exposé that earned her international recognition and backlash from officers involved in the matter.
Are all police officers cooperating with Jane Mugoh?
However, despite facing intimidation from some senior security agents, Mugoh, who runs Trimo Security Limited, a private investigations firm, remains committed to her work, including in investigating police officers involved in crime.
She noted that some officers act as informants for criminals and sabotage investigations.
Still, she emphasised that many law-abiding officers, including top officials, have supported her work over the years.
Source: Facebook
However, even as she calls out corrupt individuals, Mugoh believes good officers deserve recognition—not punishment.
She criticised the practice of transferring committed officers as soon as they make progress to the benefit of communities, saying such actions demoralise genuine efforts to uphold justice.
"When officers do good, they should be congratulated and rewarded. Frequent transfers in the course of duty only demoralise some. At times, an officer is barely a month old at a station and is transferred simply for opposing corrupt deals by seniors or juniors. Such actions can even push some into frustration or wrongdoing. At the very least, allow officers to create a legacy where they are before being moved," she urged.
Has Jane Mugoh meet police who kidnapped her?
Meanwhile, Mugoh revealed that she came face-to-face with the policeman who once served as a driver during her abduction nearly four years later.
According to her, the cop who was allegedly paid KSh 20,000 to aid in the kidnapping appeared visibly ashamed and avoided eye contact upon seeing her.
She claimed he seemed remorseful for his past actions, prompting her to document the moment by taking his photo for record purposes.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
