Raila Odinga and Tanzanian President John Magufuli have managed to broker a deal over the release of detained Kenyan business mogul Don Bosco Gichana, a source privy to the information has revealed.
The source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of Odinga and the businessman’s family said Tanzanian authorities were in the final stages to secure the release of Gichana who was detained following allegations of money laundering by the United States of America.
“They (Magufuli and Odinga) discussed a lot during the meeting over the weekend. However, Gichana’s case took center stage. Magufuli ordered Tanzanian authorities to finalise the his release,” said the source.
“It’s a multinational case but all required procedures have been followed. He will be flown to the country very soon. It could be this week or next week but what I know it’s a done deal,” added the source.
Odinga, a close ally of Magufuli flew to his host’s Geita province for a private visit after skipping the launching of a presidential bid of his Cord’s co-principal Moses Wetangula.
Gichana, an IT guru has been locked in a battle with USA over his extradition leading to his detention in the neighboring Tanzania and the source believes that his case has been thrown out following ‘intensive’ consultations between USA, Kenya and Tanzania.
“There were a lot of consultations among the three states and they eventually came to a conclusion. Our brother will be freed and Odinga played a key role to secure his release,” the source added.