Tony Chumba alias Barmuriat Muriat, a blogger allied to Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok who was alleged to have been kidnapped on Tuesday evening has been found.
According to the Turbo Sub County Police Commander Edward Masibo, Chumba was found dumped near his home in Pioneer estate on Tuesday night.
Masibo said the blogger was abducted by people known to him while at Silverline Hotel in Eldoret town.
“We received a report from one Abel Sawe that his friend Tony Chumba, a supporter of one of the gubernatorial aspirants had been abducted while at Silverline hotel area,” the Turbo Police boss told journalists.
“Officers swung into action throughout the night and we were able to locate the victim who had been dumped near his house within Pioneer estate,” he added.
Police say Chumba was found while conscious and had no physical injuries.
He is currently admitted to St Luke’s Hospital, and Masibo says they expect to get a statement from him soon.
“Doctors are analyzing him and we will be able to provide more details in due course. We’re following the leads and our job now is to know why he was abducted,” said Masibo.
Earlier at the Central Police Station, Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok recorded a statement over the incident.
Addressing the press outside the police station, Amb. Bitok accused goons allied to his competitor in the gubernatorial race Jonathan Bii Chelilim of being behind the abduction.
The former Kenyan envoy to Pakistan said it was sad that some aspirants had resorted to hooliganism and acts likely to destabilize peace in the county.
“Chumba was beaten and dumped at Sosiani River by goons hired by our competitor Chelilim,” Amb. Bitok told journalists.
“People who abducted him are known and we condemn with the strongest terms possible. These are people who have been attacking other leaders. I was attacked in December while taking tea at Silverline hotel,” he added.
Amb. Bitok asked aspirants in the governor race to engage in peaceful campaigns, even as he asked his supporters to remain calm as the police investigate the incident.
Jonathan Bii Chelilim could not be reached for a comment over the claims made against him. but it is expected that he will also record a statement to the police over the issue later in the day.
[…] even as the police investigate the abduction, Amb. Bitok claimed it was executed by individuals known to be goons of his competitor in the governor seat race Jonathan Bii […]