Kidnapped boy found a week later, abductors wanted ransom of Sh15m

Jack Ochieng’ Omondi [Photo/James Omoro]

 

A 12-year-old boy has been found after being kidnapped one week ago in Homa Bay County.

Jack Ochieng’ Omondi was kidnapped when he had gone to buy food at Rodi Kopany Township, Kalanya Kanyango Location in Homa Bay Sub County.

The standard six pupil at Rodi Kopany Primary school was on Sunday found at the bus station in Kisumu city.

He was then taken to a police station where the police officers co-ordinated with their counterparts in Homa Bay.

The boy had no physical injuries but he was taken to Homa Bay County referral hospital for medical checkup.

His mother Lilian Omondi who is a house help at the home of primary school teacher Ken Kowuo thanked God for enabling her to get the boy.

Initially, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Sh15 million to release the boy but they were not given.

They then released him.

Lilian who lives as a single woman in Rodi Kopany said she did not know why her son was kidnapped.

“I have never had wrangles with anybody neither do I owe anybody a debt in the village. Let them return my child,” she added.

Mr. Kowuo expressed concern that there was a group of people in the county who had developed a habit of kidnapping people’s children to solicit ransom from them.

“There are people who want to get cheap money by abducting people’s children. I appeal to security personnel to help us get rid of them,” Kowuo said.

Homa Bay Directorate of Criminal Investigations Commander Daniel Wachira said they were following crucial leads to aid arrest of the suspects.

“We are following them to ensure legal measures are taken against them,” Wachira said.