PH
A somber mood has engulfed Mbakalu Ward in Tongaren constituency after the area MCA, Bethwel Mwambu was kidnapped Monday night by unknown people.
Confirming the incident, Bungoma North OCPD Eliud Okello said they had received reports of the kidnapping and a search to trace Mwambu is still ongoing.
“We received the report at about midnight that Mbakalu Ward leader had been kidnapped by unknown assailants. Our officers are combing every place to ensure that he is found alive and the culprits brought to book,” he said.
Mwambu’s driver said that they were trailed by about five motorbikes while returning to the MCA’s house from Bungoma and when they approached his gate three people in jungle uniform jumped from the motorbikes, pulled him from the wheel and drove off with the MCA.
“They were armed with guns and I couldn’t resist because I felt they could have harmed me if I did so. One of them sat on the drivers seat and drove off while two others held my boss hostage,” he said.
Bungoma County disaster management director Julius Bakasa said the kidnapping might be politically motivated, since Mwambu is the ruling majority Chief Whip in the Bungoma County Assembly.
“His vehicle was found dumped at Baharini area two kilometers from his home but they were nowhere to be seen. We are calling on the assailants not to harm the Ward leader but instead set him free so he can discharge his duties,” said Bakasa.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said that he was very saddened by the incident and called on the police to speed up their investigations and help bring the culprits to book.
“Let them not harm Mwambu… we won’t accept some hired goons to intimidate elected leaders,” he said.
He added: “It is very bad and it sets a wrong precedent on the security of elected leaders as we approach the electioneering year … I know Mwambu has been vocal on some issues that might have pissed off some people.”
