NEWS Two questioned after Sh8.5m stolen from Raila office

Detectives are questioning two employees of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the theft of USD100,000 (Sh8.5 million). The money was stolen from a safe at Mr Odinga's private office in Upper Hill, Nairobi on Monday night. Two administration police officers who were on guard duties at the premise were also interviewed and their statements recorded. Initially, it was reported that only US$1,000 was stolen but Nairobi police chief Benson Kibui confirmed the new figure after the workers were interrogated. “The workers are being questioned with the aim of recovering the money and any other property that was stolen. We shall also charge anybody we believe took part in the theft,” he said. Thieves broke into former Mr Odinga’s private office in Nairobi on Monday night and stole valuables. The gang also made away with files, computers and other electronic goods. On Tuesday, Mr Odinga told the Nation that the thieves might have used a master key to enter the premise as the door was intact. The stolen files contained information on his party, ODM, and his business, political and personal issues. Speaking at Nyayo House where he had gone to renew his passports, Mr Odinga said police were at the scene taking fingerprints. “The building is also guarded by Administration Police who have not reported till now,” he said. Mr Kibui said they were treating the incident, which was reported by one of the staff at 1.45pm, as “an inside job.” “Details provided to us indicate it could be an inside job though our detectives are investigating. The money was in the safe which was tampered with. However the main door to the strong room was intact,” said Mr Kibui. He said the premises is guarded by police every day from 6pm until dawn, after which staff take over. “The workers will tell us what happened and specifically the person who was the last to lock the strong room. We suspect the theft happened either during the day or at night but it was not reported in the morning,” said Mr Kibui. Police have also recorded statements from caretakers who live in the premises. The centre was Mr Odinga’s campaign headquarters in 2007 and was also used in the March 4 polls. In March, East Africa Spectre Limited, a company belonging to Mr Odinga’s family lost gas cylinders and motor vehicle parts worth Sh4 million to gangsters who broke into its premises. 1 | 2 Next Page»