The family of prominent Kenyan sugar mogul Jaswant Singh Rai (Jaswant Rai) has raised an alarm over his alleged kidnapping by individuals they believe to be police officers, as reported recently.
The incident, which occurred on Fri., Aug. 25, 2023, has sparked concerns about the resurgence of extrajudicial actions within law enforcement agencies.
According to the family’s statement to the police on Saturday, Rai was abducted on Friday afternoon at 4:00PM by individuals suspected to be police officers. The incident took place along Wood Avenue in Kilimani, a district of Nairobi. Since the alleged kidnapping, Rai’s whereabouts have remained unknown.
The family registered a complaint under the missing person category, with the reference OB No. 21/26/08/2023. They detailed that Rai’s vehicle was discovered abandoned along Wood Avenue, the same location as the alleged abduction. Law enforcement authorities have refrained from providing any comments regarding the case.
The disappearance of Rai has garnered attention from various quarters, including the Law Society of Kenya. Eric Theuri, the president of the Law Society, expressed deep concern over the incident.
“This marks the unfortunate return of extra-judicial methods the incoming government pledged to end. The NPS owes Kenyans an explanation. We demand the immediate safe return of Rai,” he said.
Rai has been embroiled in disputes in recent times.
In December 2021, two of his brothers initiated legal proceedings against him concerning the distribution of their father’s multimillion-dollar inheritance.
The inheritance, left behind by their late father Tarlochan Singh Rai, has ignited a legal battle between Jasbir and Iqbal Rai, who contest the authenticity of the will, and Jaswant Rai, who serves as the chairman of Rai Group and the executor of the disputed will.
Rai’s legal endeavors extended to business matters.
In 2022, he contested the awarding of a leasing contract to the Uganda-based Sarrai Group. The conglomerate is headed by his younger brother, Sarbi Singh Rai.
The contract pertained to the revival of the struggling sugar milling company, Mumias Sugar. As part of his legal pursuit, Rai sought transparency in the selection process, questioning the authority and expertise of the receiver-manager who approved the contract.
The alleged kidnapping of Rai has prompted renewed discussions about the necessity of addressing extrajudicial actions and ensuring the safety of individuals within the country.
The incident also adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal disputes within the Rai family and their business dealings.
