Machakos Deputy Governor has reported that his daughter is missing after being kidnapped by gangsters who demand a political favour for her release.
In a recorded statement on Friday, Benard Kiala told police at a Nairobi police station that the kidnappers contacted his wife demanding that he drops his Machakos gubernatorial seat bid in which he has expressed interest.
“They want me to drop my gubernatorial ambition. I can't talk much now but I will forward you the text sent to my wife this morning,” he said as quoted by a local daily.
According Kenyans.co.ke, the deputy governor revealed that the message sent to his wife had read:
“We have your daughter alive. We will release her but tell you husband if he runs for governor it will not be the first attempt”.
It is not clear whether the girl, who is a university student, has been released by the kidnappers.
Kiala is said to be in constant disagreements with his boss and county governor Dr Alfred Mutua who once attempted to drop him (Kiala) from his Deputy Governor post.