I hope I won’t die of pressure, Billy Mwangi’s father breaks down over abducted son

“I just pray I don’t die of high blood pressure.” These were the words of Gerald Mwangi, a distraught father, as he pleaded in court for answers about his missing son on Tuesday.

Mwangi’s son, Billy Mwangi, a 24-year-old college student, is among six individuals allegedly abducted in incidents linked to law enforcement.

Billy was reportedly taken on Saturday, December 21, while at a barber shop in Embu town.

“He was waiting for his turn to be shaved when four hooded men arrived in a station wagon and a double-cabin pick-up truck. They mishandled him, bundled him into one of the vehicles, and sped off. His phone has been off ever since, and we haven’t been able to reach him,” Mwangi said in court.

Billy’s father, who travelled from Embu in search of his son, expressed frustration and despair, saying his wife had repeatedly collapsed due to the emotional strain.

“I thought I would see him here today, but he’s not. Where is my son? Where have they taken him?” he cried.

On Monday, the High Court issued a habeas corpus order requiring the six abductees to be presented in court by 11 am on Tuesday, barring any valid justification for their detention.

The court also issued a conservatory order prohibiting police and other respondents from prosecuting the victims without its approval.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, named as the first respondent, was summoned to court to account for the whereabouts of the missing individuals.

However, he did not appear in person and instead sent a representative.

Senior Counsel Martha Karua, representing the victims, criticised the delay in responding to the court’s directives.

“A habeas corpus application is urgent, and it is alarming that the respondents are requesting seven more days to file affidavits. The question is simple: do you have them? If so, produce them. Security agents cannot claim ignorance,” she said.

Karua urged the court to maintain the hearing date for January 3, 2025, warning that prolonged delays would worsen the anguish of the affected families.

“Asking for more time is effectively wishing these families ill. By January 3, it will already be 10 days since the order,” she argued.

The court, however, set the hearing date for January 8, instructing that if the abductees are located in the interim, they must be presented at the nearest High Court without delay.