Omtatah seeks High Court orders for release of abducted Kenyans, dead or alive

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has moved to the High Court, seeking orders to compel Kenya’s security and prosecution agencies to account for seven missing individuals, either dead or alive.

The petition, filed at the High Court in Kibera on Monday, names Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, and the Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga as respondents.

Represented by lawyer Philip Langat, the senator is demanding the production of the bodies of the individuals if they are dead.

The missing persons are Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Kelvin Muthoni.

In an alternative plea, Omtatah is urging the court to order the immediate release of the seven if they are being held in unlawful detention.

He further demands that the respondents explain why the individuals should not be granted bond or bail.

Speaking after presenting his petition, Omtatah criticised the security agencies, accusing them of failing to protect citizens from abductions targeting government critics.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah with cartoonist Gideon Kibet (left), who is among missing Kenyans believed to have been abducted by state agents. (Photo: X/Okiya Omtatah)

He called for the resignation of the Police IG, the DCI boss, and the DPP, questioning their competence.

“There are people abducting those who criticise the government. The only entity affected by such criticism is the government itself, so it seems these abductions aim to intimidate critics. This is unacceptable. If the Inspector General of Police, the DCI Director, or even the Director of Public Prosecutions are unaware of what is happening, they should resign. If they are aware and doing nothing, they should still resign because they are incapable of performing the duties for which they were appointed,” he said.

“Their incompetence is unacceptable and borders on sabotaging the security of Kenyan citizens. We cannot allow public officials to compromise our safety, leaving us to fear those entrusted with protecting us.”

The case is currently awaiting directions from the court.

From left: Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti and Bernard Kavuli, who have been missing after being abducted. (Photo: Handout)

Later, Omtatah joined protesters in Nairobi’s central business district to demand justice for the missing individuals.

Alongside other demonstrators, they sang songs such as “Mapambano yaendelea!” (the struggle continues) on Aga Khan Walk during the #EndAbductionKe protests, which called for the release of abducted youths and an end to forced disappearances.

Police used teargas to disperse the protesters, causing journalists and demonstrators to flee for safety.

However, the protesters regrouped shortly after and continued their march.