This archive report was first published on 29 September 2019.
Published on September 29, 2019, a secret deal brokered by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho led to the safe return of Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani.
According to sources, Joho leveraged his close relationships with President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to persuade them to intervene on Punjani's behalf.
As a result, those in the country's security system were allegedly dissuaded from harassing Punjani with arrest threats, allowing him to return to Kenya.
Punjani's close ties with the Joho family, including a donation of police escort vehicles to the country, are believed to have contributed to Joho's efforts to secure his safe return.
Additionally, Punjani had previously funded ODM's presidential campaign in 2017, further solidifying his connections to the party's leadership.
With the help of Raila Odinga, Punjani was able to sneak into Kenya from Tanzania without incident, following a conversation between Odinga and Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli.
