Police raids ‘treasure house’ in Kisumu

By HEZRON OCHIEL

Police officers raided a home in Kisumu County’s Awasi area where a deep hole has been dug inside a house frequented by tycoons driving fuel guzzlers.

The armed officers found the owner of the house- William Owino- unawares and carried out a search before interrogating him over the activities that have attracted tycoons from Nyeri, Embu and Kitale.

‘‘When I saw the dug hole I became suspicious because there could be criminal activities similar to the serial killer’s. We interrogated them but we could not establish their motives,’’ said Gradius Atinda, the County’s commander, Administrative Police.

The contingent of officers led by Atinda stopped the search until valid license is obtained from the government.

“Until valid license is obtained the police will not allow the activity to continue. And if at all there is a mineral, all minerals are properties of the government,’’ said Atinda.

Owino has been digging the hole in his Nyangoma village house for the last five months in search of hidden treasures allegedly hidden by colonial government in the house.

‘‘Since I erected this house here 12 years ago, my family has battled with frequent dizziness and stomach-aches. Termites too would occasionally invade the house. And when I consulted some people, they told me that probably my house would be sitting on hidden treasures worth millions of shillings’’ said Owino.

According a letter released by him allegedly written by William Onjoro from the Ministry of Mining by dated May 25, 2011, the treasure had been discovered by the excavation team in his house using detector machine.

On May 25, the 53-year-old father of six started along search which if found could completely change his life. Now at 17 meters deep, the old man is still searching for the precious commodity.

The letter read in part, ‘‘we on May 29, 2013 with our detector machine detected Owino’s home and in one of his houses, we found underground beckon buried by colonialists in his bedroom at approximately 36-43 meters deep,’’.

‘‘I was told by a government geologist that the treasure would be gotten between 36 and 43 meters deep,’’ said Owino.

At his home The Standard team encountered a group of nine women from Nyeri, Embu and Kitale who are camping here to reap from the treasures.

‘‘We were told there is a treasure in this home and we came. I am a broker and I came all the way from Nyeri. I have been here for one month but will continue to be here until I get this wealth,’’ said Eunice Njeri.  

Inside his house, the walls are painted with pictures of world war veterans and freedom fighters.

The villagers are however, sceptical about the find, claiming that the old man could be out for something fishy.

‘‘Every night people with big cars would visit the home. It is very strange. To make it worse even the digging is done at night,’’ said Enstair Ongus, a relative to the family.