Gov Barasa wants Malala investigated over abduction claims

Gov Barasa wants Malala investigated over abduction claims

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to summon former Senator Cleophas Malala for spreading false and alarming reports.

Baraza accused Malala, the Democracy for the Citizens Party Deputy Party Leader, of spreading claims that a former Kakamega employee was abducted by elements in the county government. 

On Saturday, Malala posted on his Facebook page a photo of a man with his hands tied at his back, lying in what is seen as a pool of blood alongside a machete and clothes full of blood.

In the video, a man identified as Fredrick Wanga, a former Kakamega County enforcement officer, is seen struggling in an unknown thicket to get help from the hands of alleged abductors.

The Standard has established that DCI officers from Shianda Police Station in Mumias East Constituency visited the alleged crime scene and concluded that it was stage-managed.

At the scene, the detectives found that the blood-like colour was a painting colour known as Red Oxide, as the alleged victim was nowhere to be seen.

Mumias East OCPD Dorris Chemosi told The Standard based on the preliminary investigation, the incident was a stage-managed case, and the DCI was doing their investigations.

Chemosi added that the alleged victim was in good condition and unaware of the staged self-abduction incident.

"I have talked to Wanga, the alleged victim, and he has confirmed to me that he is in good condition and he is not aware of the incident. I have told him to report to the Shianda Police Station to record his statement over the matter," said Chemosi.

The OCPD added that DCI collected materials suspected to have been used in the incident, adding that the alleged victim's family members refused to speak to police officers.

"By the time the officers arrived at the alleged victim's home, his house was locked, and a few meters from his house is where the incident took place. No member of his family spoke to police, and the sleuths collected materials suspected to have been used and will help police with their investigations," said Chemosi.

However, on Saturday, Governor Barasa urged the DCI to summon Malala to explain the source of the information about the alleged abduction he shared online.

"I have seen photos circulating on social media and propaganda being peddled by Cleophas Malala, accusing the governor of some reasons. I want to tell our security officers that we cannot allow an individual to perpetuate propaganda on social media," said Barasa.

He added, "I want the DCI to summon Cleophas Malala so that he can tell people and Kenyans the whole story about whatever he is spreading on social media that a person has been abducted and invoking the name of the governor."

Barasa challenged Malala to sell his agenda to the people of Kakamega if he is serious about contesting for the governorship seat rather than resorting to propaganda.

"You cannot look for a governor seat by spreading fake news; let the DCI unravel the puzzle that is on social media being peddled by Malala that I am involved in an abduction. As a governor, I am very busy doing development for the people of Kakamega. If Malala wants to be a governor, let him come and sell his agenda to the people and not drama and propaganda," said Barasa.

Malala posted that "Fernandez. Politics is not a matter of life and death. Fredrick Wanga helped you ascend to power. Is this the best way to reward his children and wife? My heart is broken," read the post.

When The Standard contacted Malala for a comment over the post, the former senator replied that "Fernandez is the cause of all this desperation. Depression is killing most of his supporters. He should be mindful of his supporters," said Malala.

Malala would later pull down the post from his Facebook account page on Saturday.