Raila loses files, cash in theft at his office

Thieves broke into former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s private office in Nairobi on Monday night and stole valuables.

The gang made away with files, computers, other electronic goods and $1,000 (Sh85,000) in cash.

Mr Odinga Tuesday told the Nation that the thieves might have used a master key to gain entry to Raila Odinga Centre in Upper Hill as the door was intact.

The stolen files contained information on his party, ODM, and his business, political and personal issues.

Speaking at Nyayo House where he had gone to replace his passports, Mr Odinga said police were at the scene taking fingerprints.

“The building is also guarded by Administration Police who have not reported till now,” he said.

Nairobi police chief Benson Kibui said they were treating the incident, which was reported by one of the staff at 1.54pm, as “an inside job.”

“Details provided to us indicate it could be an inside job though our detectives are investigating. The money was in the safe which was tampered with. However the main door to the strongroom was intact,” said Mr Kibui.

He said the premises is guarded by police every day from 6pm until dawn, after which staff take over.

“The workers will tell us what happened and specifically the person who was the last to lock the strongroom door. We suspect the theft happened either during the day or at night but it was not reported in the morning,” said Mr Kibui.

Police Tuesday recorded statements from caretakers who live in the premises.

The centre was Mr Odinga’s campaign headquarters in 2007 and was also used in the March 4 polls.

He has been occasionally using the office after the General Election.

In March, East Africa Spectre Limited, a company belonging to Mr Odinga’s family lost gas cylinders and motor vehicle parts worth Sh4 million to gangsters who broke into its premises.
The cylinders were later found near Daystar University in Athi River.