Wanjala and Akinyi freed from jail in India

By cyrus ombati

Former Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala and businesswoman Joyce Akinyi who were jailed in India, have been released.

The two were released following intervention by Kenyan authorities.

Sources at Foreign Affairs Ministry said the two were released on bail.

Raphael Wanjala

It was unclear if the two would be allowed to return, given the pending case. Authorities in India were investigating what Wanjala and Akinyi intended to do with Sh7.59 million found on them when they were arrested on Moi Day.

The two were arrested in New Delhi, with the undeclared money.

Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba had urged the Government to intervene and have the two released.

According to India’s Telegraph, New Delhi’s revenue intelligence department and the narcotics bureau were investigating if the money was to be spent on drugs.

MISSION ABROAD

The authorities said the two refused to disclose their mission, more than 10 days after they were arrested.

"They have refused to give the names and addresses of people they were to meet and stay with in Delhi," the paper quoted an official.

Ms Akinyi, who is at the centre of a property tussle with her estranged Nigerian husband Antony Chinedu, travelled under a different name.

Officials at Tihar Prison, where the two were held, told the newspaper Akinyi travelled on a passport with the names Ochieng’ Teressa.

Kenyan High Commissioner in India Francis Kaberia said he was instructed to hire a lawyer and bail out the two.

Wanjala and Akinyi left Kenya through Uganda, the newspaper said, adding they entered India from Dubai aboard an Emirates EK- 514 flight, on October 10.

Officials in New Delhi say cash more than $5,000 (Sh375,000) has to be declared and owners obtain a currency declaration certificate.

When they were arrested, Wanjala and Akinyi had more than $100,000 (Sh7.59 million) in cash, all undeclared. Both have cases pending against them here in Kenya.

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