Raila's business vandalised

By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI; KENYA: Unknown people Sunday night attacked Prime Minister Raila Odinga's private business East Africa Spectre in Nairobi's Industrial area and vandalised property before, carrying away hundreds of cylinders.

The assailants stole more than 600 empty LPG gas cylinders valued at Kshs3 million. They also vandalised vehicles in the Industrial Area business before escaping with 266, 13kg gas cylinders and 413, 6kg gas cylinders labelled Total Petroleum.

Raila's elder brother Oburu Oginga confirmed the incident and said they were working with police to investigate the happenings which has left the family in shock.

Caleb Radito, the Chief Security Manager at the premises said two security guards who were on duty are missing and the police have initiated investigations to know where they are.

The incident happened just a day after Raila who is the out-going Prime Minister accepted the Supreme Court verdict which upheld the victory of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto as President-elect and deputy resident elect respectively.

“We do not want to speculate that it is politically motivated but we treat this as a pure criminal act which can befall any business," Oburu said.

"We are perturbed by the timing and the unfolding political events which can send wrong signals. We are cooperating with police to ensure the culprits are brought to book, we ask our supporters not to read too much politics," Oburu said.

"We have lost dozens of expensive cylinders which we produce and sell to oil dealers. The incident happened in thick of the night and all watchmen on duty have disappeared,"

Oburu who is the chairman of the family business said the number of cylinders carted away by attackers required at least two tracks to carry making it look like a well-organised scheme.

Oburu said vehicles at the premises were smashed and spare wheels stolen before cylinders were carted away.