Police Abductions

IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan stated that while the public has linked security officers to the disappearances, the Inspector General of Police has denied any involvement.

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo noted that the arrest and detention of Mulei at Capitol Hill Police Station is a violation of her rights as the alleged offense of causing a public disturbance is only punishable by a fine or imprisonment for 6 months.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Thursday evening sent a statement confirming the arrest.

According to the HRW report, the abduction squad otherwise known as the Operation Support Unit (OSU) operates within the precincts of The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and is responsible for the enforced disappearance of 83 young Kenyans with 26 yet to be found.

Muturi broke ranks with the Kenya Kwanza administration when he demanded an end to extra-judicial operations targeting perceived enemies and critics of the regime.

This is even as Human Rights experts argue that the incidents are not "abductions" but incidents of Enforced Disappearance, since a government cannot "abduct", it can only "disappear" an individual.

In its latest report released in late December, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said at least 82 cases of abductions had been reported since June 2024, with 29 of these cases not yet resolved.

According to CIVICUS released last month, the violent suppression of demonstrations, which left at least 60 people dead and over 1,000 arrested, marked a severe curtailment of civic freedoms.

The list includes Speaker Kingi, MPs Kimani Ichung'wah, Mwengi Mutuse, Junet Mohammed, Oscar Sudi among others.

Police IG Kanja and DCI boss Mohamed Amin had been summoned by Mwamuye to appear in court on Wednesday but they failed to appear.

Steven Mbisi Kavingo, Martin Nyuko Mwau, Kalabi Mwema, and Justus Mutumwa Musyimi were taken on December 16 and 17, 2024, under mysterious circumstances.

He told his family that he had been held in a dark room and subjected to various forms of torture during his captivity.

Murkomen says he is in the process of convening a meeting with all criminal justice actors –these being the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Inspector General of Police, so that they discuss the question of abductions.

Many of the victims are students affiliated with the association, further escalating their concerns.

Amnesty International Kenya Director Irũngũ Houghton said their calls to have all the abductees released will not stop until Steve Mbisi, one of the abductees whose location isn't still known is also released.

The lawmaker warned that these actions are part of a broader attempt to dismantle the country's democratic institutions.

Despite his reluctance to share specifics, Kibet pointed out the seriousness of his experience.

The Eastleigh Voice Political Reporter Barack Oduor spoke to Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, an ardent ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on claims that Gachagua could be behind the abductions to seek political sympathy.

The leaders include Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah.

The police denied responsibility for the release of Bernard Kavuli, Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Rony Kiplagat and instead claimed that officers were collaborating with the victims to nail the perpetrators.

Among the missing Kenyans is 24-year-old Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, who was abducted outside a barber shop in Embu town on December 21, 2024.

The cases were mentioned in court on Friday, where it was revealed that the six men; Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Kelvin Muthoni had still not been released by the police.

Ruto said Kenya's allies and partners are watching the events happening and expressing concern over the ongoing talks over abductions and other issues affecting the country.

The petition follows a directive by High Court judge Bahati Mwamuye instructing the release of seven youths reportedly abducted by individuals believed to be police officers.

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

Protests come after the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the unconditional release of individuals allegedly held incommunicado by state agents.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo has criticised the police leadership for failing to fulfil its constitutional mandate to ensure the safety and security of all Kenyans.

Karua also linked the recent abductions to the controversial disappearance of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye in Nairobi last month.

The DCI refuted claims that one of its vehicles, a white Subaru Forester, was used in the alleged abduction, terming the accusations baseless and sensationalised.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya described the abductions as "acts of darkness."