SIX women yesterday denied kidnapping a six-year-old child from a church in Nairobi and demanding a Sh5 million ransom from her father.

Charity Wakonyo Gathigi, Judy Wangui Wambui, Ann Wambui Njeri, Purity Muthoni Ranji, Monica Wanjiru Makumi and Alice Wangui Gitonga also denied stealing Sh40,000 from the girls' parents. They appeared before chief magistrate Kiarie Waweru.

The six kidnapped Kelly Muthoni Muturi at the Mavuno Chuch in South C on September 30, 2012 and demanded ransom from her father Antony Muturi Maina who works with Barclays Bank.

Senior Superintendent of police Onesmus Towett objected to the women being released on bail saying investigations were yet to be completed.

He asked the women to be held at the Makadara police station for three days as police zero in on their leader who is alleged to have been co-ordinating the kidnap and ransom demand from behind prison walls.

The magistrate ordered the accused persons to be remanded in custody until Friday when they will be brought back to court for further direction.