A family from Kwoyo Kodalo village in Migori county were shell shocked when their relative who went missing 67 years ago returned.

Charles Okengo left his Awendo home at the age of 18 in 1952 in search of employment.

He ended up being jailed in Uganda by dictator Idi Amin in 1977.

Okengo, who is the last-born in a family of three, yesterday said he sought employment in Kericho during the time colonial masters were extending tea farming. “I chose to leave for Kericho after my parents died. I was looking for money to pay bride price,” he said. He worked on a tea farm for four months before leaving for Kampala in search of greener pastures.

Okengo said he lived and worked in Uganda peacefully for 25 years, before the fall of the first East African Community which led to the collapse of relations between Uganda and Kenya.

“I was arrested for being in Uganda illegally following a decree by the then Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. I ended up being jailed for 60 years as I was treated as a spy,” he said.

Okengo was released early this year after being pardoned.

A good Samaritan raised his fare to travel back to Kenya. “I am happy to be back home and my first step is to get an ID card,” he said.

MANUEL ODENY/The Star