A section of Kenyans have expressed concerns after billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai, Kabras Sugar owner, was allegedly kidnapped in broad daylight.
CCTV footage shared on Saturday, August 26, showed a motorist believed to be Rai being taken out of an SUV in Kilimani, Nairobi.
The shocking incident unfolded at a busy traffic light junction, where Rai had stopped momentarily, waiting for the green signal to proceed.
An onrushing vehicle manoeuvred through the traffic and bypassed other vehicles to intercept its target, the billionaire, who was caught unawares.
The situation escalated quickly as two men dressed in black alighted and accosted him, with a back-and-forth ensuing between the victim and the assailant.
However, Rai was overpowered and pulled into a pickup truck, which drove off, abandoning his SUV in the middle of the highway.
Activist Boniface Mwangi was among the first concerned individuals to share the CCTV footage online. Mwangi, a photojournalist by profession, added that a missing person report was filed at Kilimani Police Station.
While commenting on the incident, Eric Theuri, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president, claimed that Rai was kidnapped by persons believed to be police officers along Wood Avenue, Kilimani, Nairobi.
“His whereabouts remain unknown. The family has reported a case of missing person vide OB No 21/26/08/2023,” the LSK president responded.
LSK is now demanding the immediate safe return of the billionaire and an explanation from the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, concerning the matter.
A section of Kenyans wondered how such an incident could happen in broad daylight without the public's intervention.
Despite many Kenyans accusing security officers of laxity, Ekuru Aukot, former presidential aspirant and lawyer by profession, disagreed with their narrative.
“My LSK president (Eric Theuri), I have my doubts about this story. Jaswant is a well-connected man. His political friends are high up,” he told Theuri.
The Interior Ministry has yet to issue a statement regarding Rai's alleged kidnapping.
Attempts by Kenyans.co.ke to contact Rai's family to ascertain the case were futile as his close relatives were unavailable.
Speaking to Kilimani OCPD Moss Ndiwa, he explained to Kenyans.co.ke that the case had been taken by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
"Rai's daughter filled a missing person report and the file was forwarded to DCI. Investigations are underway," he revealed.
