Cord leader Raila Odinga has said he will help secure the release of politician Don Bosco Gichana from a Tanzania
jail. Gichana is held at Arusha Main Prison and faces fraud charges. He has been in custody for the past three years.
On Friday, Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire told mourners during the burial of Gichana’s mother Celine that Raila is negotiating with Tanzania
President John Magufuli to have the politician released. The funeral was in Magonga village, Kitutu Chache subcounty, Kisii county. Bosire conveyed Raila’s condolences.
“The former Prime Minister is away in South Africa. He told me negotiations to have Don Bosco released are at an advanced stage. He asked for patience,” Bosire said. Governor James Ongwae, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi and nominated Senator Janet Ong’era pledged to secure Gichana’s release.
Human rights violation
Ong’era said Gichana may be released in three months, as the three-year confinement is a violation of human rights. Sudi said: “It is wrong for a Kenyan to be held by a foreign court for three years without trial. His friends and leaders, especially from the Kisii community, should unite and help secure his freedom.”
He threatened to lead 50 MPs to meet
Tanzania's
government to negotiate the release. Angwenyi was optimistic Magufuli would release Gichana. He said efforts to negotiate with former President Jakaya Kikwete failed.
The flamboyant Gichana caused a stir before the 2007 general election when he donated a Hummer to Raila. In the March 4, 2013 general election, he ran for Kitutu Chache South MP but lost to Richard Onyonka. In a message read by his elder brother Maina, Gichana said he will run for the seat.
