Kisumu MCA Paul Okwiri charged with faking abduction

The court heard that on September 30, 2016, the accused made a false report at Kamagambo Police Station located within Migori County that he had been kidnapped at Kapuonja Village in Kisumu West and dumped at Rongo Township.PHOTO:COURTESY

A Kisumu ward representative has been charged with faking his own abduction.

West Kisumu Ward MCA Paul Okwiri yesterday appeared before resident magistrate Angeline Odawo where he denied the charges.

The court heard that on September 30, 2016, the accused made a false report at Kamagambo Police Station located within Migori County that he had been kidnapped at Kapuonja Village in Kisumu West and dumped at Rongo Township.

Okwiri was also charged with incitement to violence, leading to the destruction and vandalism of the home of county Planning chief officer George Anyonga, who was claimed to be behind the MCA's disappearance.

In the second charge, the court heard that the MCA's faked kidnap led his supporters to destroy property at the home of the county official.

Okwiri's alleged kidnap was reported on September 29 when he failed to return home after his normal day's tasks.

The MCA was said to have attended a meeting within his ward till 8pm before leaving the venue for home, located less than five kilometres away where he was allegedly abducted.

His car was found abandoned near his home with its doors open the following morning, with his mobile phone and car keys intact.

In the wake of the incident, villagers staged protests over his disappearance and invaded the home of the county official who was said to have had a hand in his disappearance.

The MCA, who was a member of the House Finance Committee, had allegedly told his friends and family about rivalry between him and the county official.

The MCA had allegedly said the county chief officer was among officials being investigated by the committee over fraud involving Sh105 million Ward Development Fund.

And when his disappearance was reported, the enraged villagers stormed the home of the county official within the same village.

The villagers torched the home and destroyed other property.

The case will be heard on March 29.