Congolese Midfielder on the Run After Kidnapping Child in Kenya

Fortune Sacco FC midfielder, Patient Lukige, is on the run after kidnapping Wazito FC sporting director Solomon Alubala’s child in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Congolese footballer a former Wazito player, parted ways with the NSL money bags in mid-2018 at a time the club was in financial turmoil and was inactive for a while for re-emerging with National Super League newbies Fortune Sacco.

On 26th March, the diminutive midfielder allegedly kidnapped Alubala’s two-year old child at their home in Nairobi and demanded Ksh. 200,000 (around 2000 USD) as ransom.

“It was a shocking incident. This is a player I helped when he was in my team. I hosted him like my own sibling and it’s unfortunate that he decided to do such a thing,” Alubala told Ducor Sports.

After push and pull, Alubala had to part ways with Ksh. 120,000 (1200 USD) to secure the freedom of his young.

“I had to send him money to get my child back. Fortunately, the child is safe and sound, the rest of the issue is under police investigation,” he added.

It’s believed that the DRC midfielder who has been playing in the country as a refugee kidnapped the child to ‘avenge’ for the monies owed to him in salary arrears by the club but Alubala has dispelled the rumor.

“That’s not true. And even if we did, there are right channels to follow to get his money. Kidnapping my child isn’t one of those. My account tells me that there’s some Ksh. 4,000 he didn’t collect,” Alubala stated.

Lukige had taken to Facebook to rubbish the reports that he kidnapped the child. He further claimed that the club owes him Ksh. 420,000 (4200 USD) in arrears.

“Mama kitu yote ikinifanyikia uliza patron wa wazito, ako na mtoto wake, sijuwi kitu yote, ni mimi nafaa kuitisha mushahara yangu deni 420,000 Ksh. Miezi 14 kama ni uongo uliza wachezaji wamekua wazito last two years.”

(If anything bad happens to me, Wazito patron should be held accountable. I didn’t kidnap his child, ask him. He owes me Ksh. 420,000 which is my 14-month salary),” he posted.

Ducor Sports understands that the midfielder is on the run and is being trailed by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).