
KANU official Billian Ojiwa’s wife, Nerima Wako, now says her husband’s episodes of depression could have triggered his disappearance from home last Sunday.
Mr Ojiwa, who is the National Youth Congress chairman of KANU Party, went missing after leaving his parents-in-law’s place at Valley Arcade in Nairobi, with the rumour mill suggesting that Mr Ojiwa and Ms Wako quarreled, pushing the Ficha Uchi Initiative founder to go into seclusion.
Mr Ojiwa was found on Tuesday, February 12 in Nairobi.
And now, Ms Wako has dispelled reports that she aggressively confronted her husband, resulting into his disappearance.
“He is unharmed. He was overwhelmed and under a lot of stress. Depression and mental health is something we have to discuss in family settings. He had checked himself into a center in Karen. He was spotted on Ngong Road sides on his way back from Karen,” Ms Wako told Citizen TV reporter Elphas Lagat.
Mr Ojiwa’s friend, who spoke in confidence, told EDAILY that the politician went to his office, where he took money before going into seclusion.
“He [Ojiwa] went and picked Ksh15, 000 from his office after leaving Valley Arcade. He, thereafter, went to some retreat centre ‘to think and be alone’,” said Mr Ojiwa’s friend.
KANU chairperson, Gideon Moi, is among the people, who commissioned a search for Mr Ojiwa.
Mr Ojiwa, who is in his early thirties, is best known for the Ficha Uchi Initiative, a programme he founded that gives school uniforms to needy children.
His wife, Nerima Wako, is the CEO of Siasa Place and a columnist with The East African.