Former Prime Minister’s Raila Odinga’s office loses Sh8.5 million to thugs on Monday night

By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI, KENYA: Police in Nairobi say the thieves who broke into former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s private office in Nairobi escaped with Sh8.5 million and other valuables.

Apart from the money, the unknown number of people also made away with files, computers and other electronic goods in the Monday night incident.

Nairobi County police commander Benson Kibui said no arrest has been made so far but investigations are ongoing.

“This seems to be an inside job but our officers are on the ground pursuing various leads. They must be people who knew such amount of money was there,” said Kibui.

He said the premise is guarded by police every day from 6pm until dawn, after which staff take over. Police Tuesday recorded statements from caretakers who live in the premises.

Odinga said in Nairobi on Tuesday the thieves might have used a master key to gain entry to Raila Odinga Centre in Upper Hill as the door was intact.

The stolen files contained information on his business, political and personal issues. The centre also serves as a private office and was Mr Odinga’s campaign headquarters in 2007 and was also used in the March polls.

He spoke at Nyayo House where he had gone to replace his passports.

It is not clear if the thieves targeted the cash or his personal data, which they made away with.

It is not the first time that the offices are broken into and police said on Tuesday they were pursuing various leads over the attack.