I was shaved without consent - Bernard Kavuli recounts 15-days in captivity

Bernard Kavuli, one of the five individuals who were abducted in December and released recently, has recounted his harrowing 15-day ordeal in captivity.

Speaking after recording a statement at Ngong Police Station on Wednesday, Kavuli described the brutal treatment he endured, including being forced to shave his hair and beard.

This visit marked his second appearance at the station, following his initial arrival on Monday after being abandoned by his captors at Moi’s Bridge.

For over an hour, Kavuli, accompanied by his two lawyers, detailed his abduction and the harsh conditions he faced. His lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, stated that the abduction appeared to be an attempt to intimidate Kavuli into silence over his outspoken views on the government.

“Our client had to experience or endure a situation that was meant to cow him, to intimidate him so that he refuses to address some of the wrongs he sees in his country,” Wambui said.

“They treated him in a very inhumane manner, the specifics of which will be detailed in an affidavit to be submitted to the court.”

Kavuli was specifically questioned about his posts on X (formerly Twitter), where he has been vocal about government issues.

“He was taken in and asked questions, brutalised, beaten up because of the views he holds as a Kenyan, youthful leader, someone who understands what is happening in the political sphere,” Wambui added.

According to Kavuli, his rights were violated when his abductors, who were armed and masked, shaved off his hair and beard without his consent.

“Our client is known to be very hairy, but you can see this is something that he did not voluntarily accept,” Wambui said.

“He did not accept to be shaved, he did not accept to be taken through those experiences, and these are things we shall be detailing and share with the public.”

Kavuli, who was blindfolded throughout his captivity, could not identify his captors, though Wambui speculated that they could be law enforcement officers.

“He did not have an opportunity to see the faces of his abductors, but at the very least he is able to recognise the voices. They are people who were masked and did not wish to disclose their identities. We fear they are law enforcement officers because they had these chains, they had guns, these are not things you see with normal individuals,” Wambui said.

Kavuli, who has been warned against speaking to the media about his ordeal, is expected to undergo a medical examination.

His experience follows a petition by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) at Milimani Law Courts, urging Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to present the abducted individuals in court.

In addition, other individuals who were recently released, including Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Peter Muteti, and Billy Mwangi, are expected to record their statements with the police starting Thursday.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ordered Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin to appear in court on January 27 and explain the whereabouts of the abducted youths or face contempt of court charges.

Kanja and Mohamed were ordered to attend court on Wednesday but failed to show up. Their lawyer, Paul Nyamodi, told the court that both security chiefs were ready to appear but were diverted by an urgent security matter requiring their attention.