Protests erupt in Embu town over Billy Mwangi's abduction
By Charles Adinda |
Angry residents with placards blocked major roads and lit fires, demanding Mwangi's immediate release as business in the town came to a standstill.
Residents of Embu town on Friday took to the streets to demand the release of 25-year-old Billy Mwangi, who was allegedly abducted by police officers on Saturday, December 17, 2024.
Angry residents with placards blocked major roads and lit fires, demanding Mwangi's immediate release as business in the town came to a standstill.
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Some displayed placards written "No Billy No Peace" and others "Free Abducted Billy Mwangi".
Mwangi was abducted from a barber shop in Embu by four armed, masked men travelling in a silver double-cabin pickup that sped off towards the Embu-Nairobi highway.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji led the peaceful march in Embu town before it turned chaotic. Thousands turned up for the protest demanding the unconditional release of Billy Mwangi whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The people of Embu have unanimously spoken in one voice. #FreeBillyMwangi and all those abducted.#Formnikujituma pic.twitter.com/fUiN2FI6Ng
— Hon. Gitonga Mukunji MP (@Gitonga_Mukunji) December 27, 2024
Mwangi's abduction followed shortly after he shared AI-generated images of President William Ruto, which some found offensive.
Mwangi's family has since lodged a report with the Embu Police Station and is still awaiting answers.
"I earnestly campaigned for this government with Her Excellency Cecily Mbarire until they won the election. Please, Mr President, release my son," his father, Gerald Mwangi, said.
His mother, Regina Wairimu, also called on the government to 'show mercy on their son'. "We are pleading with the government not to use excessive force in dealing with our son. If he has done any wrong, treat him as a parent with his child," she said.
Billy Mwangi who was abducted on December 17.
Mwangi's family has conducted extensive searches across the county without success. They remain in the dark about the reasons behind his disappearance.
Mwangi's case is not isolated. He is only one of seven young social media users abducted in the last month after making posts critical of the government. Other victims include Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplang'at, and Gideon Kibet, alias Kibet Bull.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji led the peaceful march in Embu town. (X/Gitonga Mukunji)
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that 82 abductions have been recorded since June, with 29 individuals still unaccounted for. KNCHR has urged authorities to address these disappearances and ensure the safety of all citizens.
Despite mounting public outrage, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service (NPS) have denied any involvement in the abductions.
However, civil rights groups, families of the missing persons, and the general public question the sincerity of these denials, citing patterns of enforced disappearances and silencing of dissent.
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