On January 5, 1997, Mr Omondi was involved in a non-violent 54 million robbery at the highly guarded Kenya Airfreight Handling Ltd. [Photo/standardmedia.co.ke]
Siaya County has been blessed with a cool philanthropist based in Ugunja Town. Many do not know who he really is and what he did 20 years ago. As the Daily Nation reported, Mr Charles Omondi alias Chacho is an established businessman in this town and commands a lot of respect.
The Ngunya village son has even tried his hand in politics starting 2013 when he announced his intention to vie for Ugunja parliamentary post on an ODM ticket but pulled out due to probable blackmail by opponents about his past.
On January 5, 1997, Mr Omondi was involved in a non-violent 54 million robbery at the highly guarded Kenya Airfreight Handling Ltd. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport based entity was duped by Chacho who claimed to have been sent by Citibank, Muindi Mbingu Street branch to pick the cash send from New York. There was no violence in the grand theft but pure smartness.
The then owner of Chacho Inter-Afric Enterprises had insider information about the banks' cash transfer policy. The police reported that he had fled the country and the matter was reported to the Central Bank fraud section. A 250,000 price tag was put on his head which was later increased to 1 million.
It was reported that he was in Tanzania but on May 12, 1998, he was accidentally arrested in Buru Buru after quarreling with his wife which prompted the neighbors to alert the police. Little is known about his post-arrest proceedings but he now runs sports products shop in Ugunja.
Some of those interviewed by the paper were full of praise for Chacho. He is even funding needy students.
“Omondi Chacho is a prominent businessman in Ugunja town who has engaged in numerous charity activities in the constituency, impacting positively on the lives of the locals,” said Michael Onyango as quoted by the Nation.
“He is currently paying school fees for a Form Two student in my school; he also supports children from less privileged families,” said Mr