Top county official's kidnapped children found hidden in Tanzania

A happy Isaiah Ogwe embraced his three children yesterday who had been kidnapped on Saturday. The children were tracked to Tanzania where they were hidden in the remote village of Panyako, Roria District. Mr Ogwe is the Homa Bay county secretary.

The children Phoebe Akinyi, 10, Isaiah Ogwe Junior, 7, and Risper Awino, 4, were taken from their home in Kogwe village by unknown people.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Kassim Farah said police officers got wind of where the children were after a tip-off from the public. The information led to the arrest of the first suspect, who led them to his accomplices. They eventually showed the police where the children were.

"When police officers apprehended the first suspect, he confessed that he was working with other suspects, whom he said had taken the children to their relative's house in Tanzania. We are happy the children are now safe," said Mr Farrah.

Farah vowed that he would not let the Government down by allowing criminals to escape to other countries.

RESCUED UNHARMED

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"I want to thank the police in Tanzania for helping us rescue the children," he added

Ogwe thanked the police for tracing his children and rescuing them unharmed.

"I have had sleepless nights since I received a message, which alerted me about the abduction of my children. My family has been through a lot of trauma. I thank God the children were found alive," said Ogwe.

He added that he had been asked to pay a Sh6 million ransom, but fortunately the children were rescued before he could pay it.

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti blamed the abduction of the children on politics. Mr Awiti said there were some people in the county who wanted to frustrate the leaders serving the county government

"This act was planned by some people who have a political vendetta to settle with my government. I assure you that we will fight them to the bitter end," said Awiti. He noted that in the history of the Luo, he had never heard of kidnappings.