Mystery: Family cries out for missing church leader

For more than two weeks now, mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Charles Oduor Awich (pictured) after he was picked from his Ndere home in Siaya by two men who rode a white motorcycle.

Awich, who was assistant bishop of Roho Judea Church, is said to have been picked by two people wearing police uniform at around midnight on January 11 this year.

His wife Hellen Adhiambo has since searched for him in hospitals, mortuaries and bushes, but in vain. In an interview yesterday, Ms Adhiambo said the men claimed her husband was required for interrogation at the nearby Ndere Police Post.

“He accepted to accompany them to the police post for interrogation without any resistance. I asked to accompany them but they refused,” said Adhiambo, adding that the day before her husband went missing, he had feared for his life.

On January 12, Adhiambo filed a missing person report at Siaya County Police Division Headquarter under OB No.08/12/01/2020 and thereafter recorded statements.

County Police Commander Francis Kooli confirmed the incident was reported and that they had launched investigations.

While addressing the media in Siaya town last week, officials of the Fellowship of Churches led by chairman Francis Odhiambo called for speedy investigations.

Siaya Sub-county DCIO Nelson Muhaya said they had made progress. “We cannot give details of the investigations because it might interfere with the process,” he said.

A source privy to the case said a suspect was allegedly arrested last week but was interrogated and released under unclear circumstances.

Claims of people having spotted a motorbike belonging to a government officer who purchased a disputed land has raised questions as to whether he was among the two people who picked up the bishop on that fateful night.