•Outcry as Isiolo Revenue Director Ali Godana Reportedly Abducted Amid Allegations of Cartel Retaliation and Political Infighting
Isiolo, Kenya| The mysterious disappearance of Ali Godana Wako, the Director of Revenue for Isiolo County, has sent shockwaves across the region, raising fears of deep-rooted corruption and political tension within county operations.
Godana, popularly known as “Goldie,” was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals on the evening of Wednesday, May 14, at around 5:00 PM, just outside his residence in Isiolo town.
According to his family, Godana was taken by men whose identities remain unknown, and he has not been seen or heard from since.
His daughter, in an emotional plea to the authorities, revealed that the family has already recorded statements with law enforcement and identified individuals they suspect may be involved.
“Kuna suspects wako nje allegedly. We want those suspects to be reprimanded—washikwe. Investigations zianzwe na watu waanze kuulizwa maswali. That’s all we want,” she stated.
Godana had served in his new role as Director of Revenue for less than a month before his abduction. Prior to that, he was the Isiolo Town Administrator.
His appointment had reportedly stirred controversy and competition within the county bureaucracy, particularly among rival factions vying for control over lucrative revenue operations.
Local civil society actors and activists have called for immediate investigations, alleging that entrenched cartels within the department may have orchestrated the abduction to eliminate threats to their operations.
These claims have lent weight to growing concerns about the vulnerability of public officials who attempt to challenge corruption networks.
In a strongly worded statement, Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo confirmed the incident and linked it to a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances.
He also referenced a similar case involving another individual, Abdullahi Bosso, who was allegedly abducted by security agents along the Kinna-Kulamawe Road a day earlier.
“These are not isolated cases. They reflect a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances that undermine the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of Kenyan citizens,” the governor warned. “Such actions directly contradict President William Ruto’s public assurance that his administration will neither tolerate nor engage in abductions.”
Governor Guyo demanded immediate answers regarding the whereabouts of both missing individuals and called upon security agencies to produce them in court or release them in line with constitutional protections. “Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done,” he emphasized.
Adding to the chorus of condemnation was the Sakuye Media Network (SMN), a media lobby representing the Sakuye community, to which Godana belongs.
In a statement, SMN asserted that political opponents unhappy with Godana’s confirmation as director of revenue had waged a coordinated smear campaign against him, particularly within the community’s digital platforms.
“We believe that the first people to be summoned should be those who waged a media war against his person in public Sakuye Nation forums on WhatsApp,” the statement read.
The group demanded an urgent, thorough investigation by national security agencies and called for those responsible to face legal action.
“This is not just about one man—it is about the rule of law, the safety of public servants, and the sanctity of public service,” SMN declared. “We shall not relent in this demand and expect answers in the shortest time possible.”
As the hashtags #BringBackAliGodana and #FreeAliGodana continue to trend on local platforms, the pressure mounts on both county and national security agencies to act decisively.
The circumstances surrounding Godana’s disappearance remain murky, and as investigations get underway—or stall—the incident has laid bare the fraught intersection of governance, corruption, and community politics in Isiolo County.
Until concrete answers emerge, the people of Isiolo and beyond are left demanding not only the return of a father and civil servant, but also accountability in a system where silence has become too costly.
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