9 July 2009
Nairobi — Desire for financial assistance from an MP landed a woman in police cells.
Ms Rachel Ayuma, 30, a cabin crew member with a local airline, spent 24 hours in police custody after Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichilo accused her of insulting him. Ms Ayuma was freed yesterday afternoon without charges being preferred against her. She told the Nation that her problems began last September when she sought financial assistance from Mr Otichilo, her MP, to go for studies in the United States.
Having raised some money, she said that the MP gave her a Sh5,000 cheque, which could not cover the deficit.
Cancelling trip
Unfortunately for her, a cousin with whom she intended to live in the US lost her husband, resulting in her cancelling the trip. She said Mr Otichilo maintained contact with her, calling her regularly.
"His PA called me on Thursday and said my husband (the MP) wanted to see me but I told him I was not his wife and would come to make that clear to him. However, when I went there on Friday, the MP was not there and I was asked to come back on Monday," she said.
When she visited his Continental House office on Monday, she was taken to Parliament police station where she said police accused her of harassing the MP. She returned to the police station on Tuesday and was locked up. Mr Otichilo admitted that the woman had been detained at his request. He said that he gave her Sh5,000 in 2008 when she sought help from him.
"There were issues we needed to sort out because she had requested for help to go to the US but never went. We wanted to know why and she has explained," he said.
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