A politician who was allegedly abducted from his village in Ugunja, Siaya county has been found alive at Shimba Hills forest in Kwale county.
George Odour Owino an aspirant for the seat of Member of County Assembly (MCA)-West Ugenya ward now claims that he was abducted on his way to a local hotel within his home on May 4 by three men whom he now claims were sent by his opponents.
PHOTO/Sophie Njoka
“I was bundled in a waiting Prado by two men and inside the vehicle, l found another man who was armed. l was ordered to lie inside the vehicle’s boot and it sped off in an unknown direction. l now believe that they had been sent by my opponents to threaten me to step down,” he alleged.
During the long journey to the unknown destination, they took his mobile phone, Ksh400,000 and further demanded ransom from his third wife. However, she was unable to raise the Ksh1 million ransom and reported the kidnapping to the police.
He claims that he was held captive for two days in a house at an unknown place before they drove to the next destination in Kwale county.
PHOTO/Sophie Njoka
“After six days, they drove me to a forest. l did not know where l was at the time since my health had deteriorated and l have not eaten for several days. l negotiated with my kidnappers to set me free but they declined. They told me l was at the mercy of wild animals and anytime l would be attacked and eaten alive. They tied me to a tree and left,” he added.
According to Odour, he was spotted by a man who was grazing cows in the vast forest on Friday. The man later alerted the area chief who called the police and was escorted to Kwale police station to record his statement.
“I am still living in fear. l don’t know what they are planning to do next since l will not step down for any aspirants,” he said.
He called on police to speed up investigations and bring to book his kidnappers.
