Class Six boy kidnapped, abductors want Sh15m ransom
Rodi Kopany trading centre in Homa-Bay County where a Class Six boy was kidnapped on March 17, 2019. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Kowuo is a primary school teacher while his wife is the Principal Finance Officer at the Homa Bay County Assembly.
- Last year, County Assembly Accountant Maurice Amek was shot outside his house by unknown people who demanded cash.
- Homa Bay County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe’s two children were also abducted.
A house help at a Homa Bay County Assembly official’s home is in agony after her son was kidnapped in what is suspected to be a case of mistaken identity.
Police are investigating the incident where the kidnappers are demanding Sh15 million from Ms Lilian Achieng who works for Mr Ken Kowuo and his wife Caroline Sang’.
Mr Kowuo is a primary school teacher while his wife is the Principal Finance Officer at the Homa Bay County Assembly.
The couple claims that the kidnapper(s), who targeted their daughter, might have mistakenly kidnapped their house help’s son.
Ms Achieng’ claims that her son Jack Ochieng’ was abducted on March 17, 2019 by unknown people within Rodi Kopany market.
SH15 MILLION
The abductors demanded for Sh15 million ransom which, they said, should be paid via mobile phone cash transfer system or they kill the boy.
The Class Six pupil was sent to the market to buy food at 2 pm but he failed to return home.
The single mother realised that her son was abducted on Monday when an unknown person called her on phone to demand ransom.
“The caller said the money was to be paid on Tuesday or they harm the boy. I don’t know who the person is. He never told me where he was or whether my son was fine or not,” said Ms Achieng’.
During the phone conversation, Ms Achieng’ claimed she heard her son's voice in the background. “I heard him call my name twice before he was instructed to be quiet,” she told Nation.co.ke.
PUNISHMENT
“What has our house help done to deserve the punishment? We have a strong feeling that our daughter was the one being targeted,” claimed Mr Kowuo.
The couple claimed that they had previously been informed that their daughter was being targeted by criminals.
“Some people may think we have a lot of money which is not the case, we plead with the abductors to set Ochieng’ free,” said Ms Sang’.
The couple has been receiving strange phone calls from anonymous people telling them to send them ransom.
ABDUCTED
They have reported the matter to Homa Bay Police Station. The police have begun investigating the matter.
The incident adds to the growing list of cases where county government officials have been targeted by criminals.
Last year, County Assembly Accountant Maurice Amek was shot outside his house by unknown people who demanded cash.
County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe’s two children were also abducted.
