LSK demands release of two men allegedly abducted by police
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
Peter Muteti, 22, a social media influencer, is said to have been forcibly taken by four armed men including one dressed in police uniform around 9 am on December 21.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for the immediate release of two men who were allegedly abducted over the weekend by individuals suspected to be police officers.
In a statement on Monday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned the abductions, describing the tactics as repressive and contrary to the law.
Keep reading
"We have received distress calls on the abduction of two Kenyans by police officers on December 21, 2024," she said.
She further demanded the immediate, unconditional release of the two men; Billy Mwangi and Peter Muteti or that they are presented in court to face any charges.
The LSK President also urged the government to uphold the rights and freedoms enshrined in Kenya's Bill of Rights, stressing that such actions must be stopped.
"We demand that police officers abandon and desist from these absurd, repressive tactics that have characterised 2024," she added.
Peter Muteti, 22, a social media influencer, is said to have been forcibly taken by four armed men including one dressed in police uniform around 9 am on December 21.
According to witnesses, the men jumped out of a moving vehicle, dragged Muteti into their car, and sped off.
The influencer had allegedly posted an offensive photo of President William Ruto on his social media account before deleting it, which is believed to be the reason for his abduction.
Masked armed men
Meanwhile, Billy Mwangi was reportedly abducted from a barber shop in Embu by four masked men in a double-cabin pickup truck.
Witnesses described the men as armed but did not confirm their identities.
These abductions come amid growing concerns over the role of law enforcement in such incidents. Police have repeatedly denied being involved in the disappearance of citizens, despite numerous reports following the youth-led anti-government protests in June 2024.
On November 11, 2024, the National Police Service (NPS) stated that 57 abductions had been reported since the beginning of the protests on June 18, 2024.
However, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has consistently dismissed accusations that the police were involved in kidnappings or abductions.
"I have made it clear, police don't abduct or kidnap; we detain and keep individuals in stations where investigations commence. Those found to meet the threshold of being taken to court are arraigned, while those who don't are set free," Kanja stated during his appearance before the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and Internal Security.
Despite the denials, calls for justice and accountability continue to grow.
Reader comments
Follow Us and Stay Connected!
We'd love for you to join our community and stay updated with our latest stories and updates. Follow us on our social media channels and be part of the conversation!
Let's stay connected and keep the dialogue going!
Latest News For You
