Billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai released as police deny holding him
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Sugar billionaire Rai released after 24 hours following his daylight abduction by unknown men
Sugar billionaire Rai released after 24 hours following his daylight abduction by unknown men.
Businessman Jaswant Singh Rai reportedly was freed on Sunday, August 28, 24 hours after being kidnapped in broad daylight by unidentified individuals.
The businessman with investments in sugar, timber, and real estate made news over the weekend after his family shared a video of the abduction with law enforcement officers giving no details of the incident.
The billionaire was released on Sunday night, according to his lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, who did not disclose the identity of the person holding him.
The billionaire businessman was freed just hours after President William Ruto admonished him and accused him of taking advantage of Kenya’s western sugar farmers.
Rai abduiction took a new turn after police denied reports linking them to the Friday incident.
The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Amin Mohamed, said that Mr Rai was not being held by his officers.
“We are not holding him. We do not have a detention facility, but the matter is under investigation,” Mr Amin said.
CCTV footage of the abduction shows four men getting out of the pick-up and forcibly pulling the occupants of the billionaire’s car into their vehicle before speeding off towards Galana Road.
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Mr Rai’s vehicle is then left idling on the road. Later, officers from Kilimani Police Station were seen towing it to the station, unoccupied and with only a minor scratch on the front right side where the pick-up had made contact. A report on the vehicle was made under OB number 40/25/8/2023.
Some of Mr Rai’s lawyers have speculated that the ‘abduction’ has something to do with the ongoing battle over the receivership of Mumias Sugar Company, which saw him arrested by detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit, who are investigating a Treasury report alleging an attempt by some individuals and companies to defraud the firm.
In his application, Mr Rai said he was escorted from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the DCI offices on an alleged red alert against him and was subsequently questioned about his involvement in Mumias.
Several sources have linked the kidnapping to a business rivalry in the sugar industry, which also involves senior government officials.
The billionaire owns West Kenya Sugar/Kabras Millers in Malava, Kakamega, Sukari Industries of Ndhiwa in Homabay, Olepito Sugar at Tangakona in Busia, and Naitiri Sugar in Bungoma county.
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