Abductions: State accused of silencing witnesses, families want ICC to intervene

Families of those who have disappeared under mysterious circumstances across the country are now calling for intervention by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to address the growing number of abductions.

Addressing the media on Sunday, victims and their families recounted harrowing stories of abductions, torture, and threats, urging the ICC to investigate the state’s role in these human rights violations.

Bob Njagi, an activist with the Free Kenya Movement, shared his ordeal, describing how he and fellow activist Aslam Longton were abducted on August 19, 2024.

Njagi and Longton were detained for 32 days, during which they were tortured by security agents. The abductions were in retaliation for their participation in demonstrations against economic policies they believed would burden Kenyans.

“We were subjected to torture simply for advocating progressive economic reforms and better governance,” Njagi said.

“Since our release, we have lived in constant fear of further abductions and persecution by the state.”

Njagi revealed that he and Aslam’s brother, Jamil Longton, had been followed by individuals they believed were security agents.

He claimed that the government is targeting individuals like him who have witnessed these crimes and may expose the truth about what is happening.

“On January 5, 2025, I noticed a black Subaru Outback with tinted windows trailing me during my morning run in Kitengela. This was no isolated incident. The vehicle continued to follow me for days, and we later saw it surveilling Jamil and Aslam,” he said.

Despite reporting the surveillance to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at the Kitengela police station, Njagi claimed that no meaningful action was taken.

“When Aslam reported the surveillance to the police, a police officer assaulted him. We have not received any protection, and the threat remains evident. The State is targeting us because we are witnesses to the abductions," he added.

They fear further retribution as many activists who were abducted in similar circumstances have been found dead.

“We have already lost Justus Mutumwa and Martin Mwau—both witnesses to enforced disappearances and torture,” Njagi said.

The bodies of Mutumwa and Mwau were found bearing signs of torture in January 2025, sparking further outrage.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• National
• DCI
• ICC
• Abductions
• Bob Njagi
• Abductions: State accused of silencing witnesses
• families want ICC to intervene

The family of Justus Musyimi, one of the three men who went missing from Mlolongo, also shared their painful story.

Dancan Kyalo, the brother of the late Justus Mutumwa, recalled the harrowing moments following his brother’s disappearance.

“I reported my brother’s disappearance to the DCI, and shortly after, I began receiving threatening calls, warning me to stop pursuing the case. The calls intensified as the court date for the Inspector General of Police and DCI approached,” he said.

Kyalo’s worst fears were realised when his brother’s body was found at the Nairobi Funeral Home on January 30, showing signs of torture

Kyalo, alongside other families, said they believe these actions are part of a broader effort by the state to eliminate witnesses and suppress evidence of human rights abuses.

“We believe these actions are aimed at preventing any legal proceedings and ensuring that those responsible for these crimes are never held accountable,” he said.

Monicah Mwende, the sister of another missing man, Kalani Mwema, described how she, too, had received threatening calls after reporting her brother’s disappearance.

“On January 30, I received a call from someone who claimed to be a police officer, telling me my brother was in Lamu and would be released that night,” Mwende explained.

“However, he was never released, and I fear for his life.”

Annette Nerima, the Programme Manager for Inclusion and Political Justice at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), asserted that the State is deliberately silencing witnesses to these abductions.

She called on the government to be held accountable, stressing that crimes against humanity must not be tolerated.

“Crimes against humanity should not be condoned,” Nerima said.

The Human rights group called on the government to end the cycle of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

The abductions have been increasingly reported since the onset of the June 2024 anti-government protests. Many of the victims have been outspoken critics of the government, and their disappearances have sparked outrage among citizens and political leaders alike.

“We demand an independent investigation into the cases of all those who have been forcibly disappeared or killed,” KHRC said.

“We will not settle for silence or cover-ups. The regime must be held accountable.”

They also called on the Kenyan government to ratify and domesticate international treaties, such as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED), to provide better protection for citizens.

“The state must stop these violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and guarantee the safety of all individuals exercising their constitutional rights,” they demanded.

The families made clear that they won't be intimidated to remain silent.

“The Kenyan state has declared war on its people. This is a deliberate, state-orchestrated campaign of terror,” KHRC said.

“We demand the immediate intervention of the ICC to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these heinous crimes.”