Kenya Insights

Tag: abduction

  • Mother’s Heartbreak As Judge Dismisses Case Of Missing Nakuru Fisherman Brian Odhiambo

    Mother’s Heartbreak As Judge Dismisses Case Of Missing Nakuru Fisherman Brian Odhiambo

    The High Court in Nakuru has dismissed the case of Brian Odhiambo, who has been missing for 21 days, citing a lack of evidence that he was taken into custody by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.

    Justice Julius Nangea declined to issue further orders in the case, leaving the mystery of his disappearance unresolved.

    “As the DCI and the officer in charge of Nakuru National Park have denied having the subject in their custody and there being no evidence, no further direction will be issued in relation to the application,” said Justice Nangea.

    Following the ruling on Thursday, Brian Odhiambo’s family broke down in wails and tears outside the courtroom.

    Odhiambo’s mother and wife were overcome with emotion, expressing their dissatisfaction with the court’s decision and calling for justice for their loved one.

    This development comes days after KWS officers and the Assistant Director of Lake Nakuru National Park faced a tough time in court on January 29, when they were tasked to explain the whereabouts of the missing man.

    The officers acknowledged arresting a man whom they claim was engaged in illegal fishing in the sewage area of Lake Nakuru National Park but said they had not recorded his name before he allegedly escaped.

    In an affidavit presented before the court, the officers stated that the arrested man had requested to relieve himself while in custody and managed to flee.

    Odhiambo was reported missing on Saturday, January 18, with residents alleging that he was last seen being manhandled and taken away by KWS officers.

    The incident triggered widespread protests, which escalated on Thursday as angry residents clashed with security officers in Nakuru Town East.

    Demonstrators set parts of Lake Nakuru National Park ablaze, demanding Odhiambo’s immediate release and accountability from authorities.

  • Enough Is Enough, Maraga Condemns Rising Abductions And Extrajudicial Killings In Kenya

    Enough Is Enough, Maraga Condemns Rising Abductions And Extrajudicial Killings In Kenya

    Former Chief Justice David Maraga has joined the growing calls for an end to the alarming trend of abductions and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.

    Maraga has vehemently condemned the escalating violence targeting Kenyan youth, describing it as a grave violation of human rights. His remarks come in the wake of the tragic discovery of the bodies of Martin Mwau and Justus Musyimi, two of the four individuals who had gone missing from Mlolongo. Their remains were found at City Mortuary after a month-long search.

    Calling the abductions and killings a “stain on our collective conscience as a nation,” Maraga urged Kenyans to take a stand against these atrocities by declaring #EnoughisEnough and #EndAbductionsNow. He stressed that such crimes represent a profound betrayal of Kenya’s future and the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution.

    “Leadership that abets a culture of killings and human rights violations jeopardizes its legitimacy,” Maraga warned, calling for an immediate end to the violence that has disproportionately targeted young Kenyans. He emphasized that every Kenyan has the right to live in safety and security and to pursue their dreams without fear.

    “We cannot be lulled into complacency in the face of such assaults to our shared humanity. Every Kenyan and particularly our youth, deserves to live in safety and security and to pursue their dreams. I stand in unity with all Kenyans of good conscience and call for the immediate release of all young people who are still being held incommunicado.” He said.

    In his call to action, Maraga demanded the immediate release of all young people still being held without communication and urged accountability and justice for the victims and their families. “Let us work together to build a society that upholds the rule of law, constitutionalism, and integrity.”

    Other leaders voices

    Earlier on, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi had condemned the abductions calling for a public inquiry into the saga and pleaded with the president to call to an end to the abductions and killings.

    “Mr. President, I’m calling upon you now to order an end to these abductions, extra-judicial killings and an open enquiry to look into what has been happening.”

    Muturi urged President William Ruto not to turn a blind eye on the matter saying the increasing number of abductions and extrajudicial killings is alarming and ought to be addressed urgently.

    “This is a very serious matter and it should anger the country. We are allowing young men and women to be kidnapped only later to be found dead. Surely, what country are we and we are pretending to be solving issues in DRC?” he posed.

    “This is a serious issue, the number of people who have died are so many that it should prick the conscience of any right-thinking leader,” he added.

    The Public Service cabinet secretary who has recently become a vocal critic on the ongoing abductions insisted he will not be cowed in calling out the ills of the government which has caused anguish among affected Kenyans.

    “I sit in government and am not aware of any policies that support abductions and extrajudicial killings. It is not right that parents can stay in excess of 40 days looking for their loved ones and we stay somewhere claiming that we are discussing economy for this country,” Muturi noted.

    Muturi’s bold stance follows the tragic deaths of individuals abducted from Mlolongo.

    Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has also condemned the government for failing to address the ongoing abduction and execution epidemic in Kenya, which she says has continued unchecked for nearly a year.

    She accused President Ruto’s regime of being complicit in the crisis, citing cases of Turkish nationals, Ugandans in Kisumu, and Dr. Kizza Besigye as evidence of state involvement or cover-up.

    Karua said, “The abductions admitted by the state, like that of Turkish nationals, of the 36 Ugandans in Kisumu and that of Dr. Kizza Besigye, bear striking similarities with others, making it inescapable that state security agencies are part of the abductions or covering them up.”

  • Ruto Hosts NIS Boss Noordin Haji Amidst Abduction Allegations

    Ruto Hosts NIS Boss Noordin Haji Amidst Abduction Allegations

    Nairobi – President William Ruto hosted a critical security meeting at State House, Nairobi, with Noordin Haji, the Director General of Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Ambassador Redwan Hussien, Ethiopia’s Director General of the National Intelligence Security Service, on Saturday.

    In a post on his official X account, President Ruto emphasized that the discussions were centered on tackling security threats like terrorism and organized crime, which demand collaborative action across the Horn of Africa.

    “Security challenges such as terrorism and organized crime require collaborative efforts among countries in the Horn of Africa. Kenya is committed to working with global partners to ensure stability. We discussed regional security with Ethiopia’s Ambassador Redwan Hussien at State House, Nairobi,” Ruto stated.

    Abductions

    This meeting follows recent allegations by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who accused NIS Director Noordin Haji of involvement in the abduction of his son, Leslie Muturi, back in June 2024. In a statement recorded at Kilimani Police Station, Muturi detailed the harrowing experience of his son’s kidnapping by armed, hooded men near Dennis Pritt Road.

    Muturi expressed his frustration in locating his son, having contacted various high-ranking officials from the police, DCI, and NIS without success. He managed to secure CCTV footage that showed the vehicles involved in the abduction, identifying a box Prado and another vehicle similar to a Probox.

    After failing to find answers through official channels, Muturi personally approached President Ruto. “I went to State House after hearing the President was at a church service in Nyandarua. I explained the situation, highlighting my inability to get help from other officials and my suspicion that NIS was involved,” Muturi recounted in his statement.

    According to Muturi, President Ruto then directly questioned Haji about the matter, leading to an immediate acknowledgment and subsequent release of Leslie Muturi. “The President asked Haji if he was holding my son, and upon confirmation, instructed his release within an hour, which was complied with,” Muturi said, noting his son’s safe return home shortly after.

  • Exclusive: HRW Uncovers Secret Units Behind Kenya’s Abduction Crisis

    Exclusive: HRW Uncovers Secret Units Behind Kenya’s Abduction Crisis

    Nairobi, Kenya – An alarming report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) sheds light on the shadowy operations behind Kenya’s surge in abductions, implicating special units within the country’s security apparatus.

    HRW has revealed the existence of the Operation Support Unit (OSU), a covert group within Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which purportedly took over from the now-defunct Special Service Unit (SSU). This development comes after President William Ruto’s administration dismantled the SSU amid accusations of human rights violations, only to seemingly reform it under a new name.

    Otsieno Namwaya, Associate Director at HRW’s Africa division, detailed how the OSU, under the guidance of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) led by Noordin Haji, has been allegedly involved in secretive and violent operations. “The OSU is not just a new name; it’s carrying the same old tactics of abduction and violence,” Namwaya stated.

    The OSU isn’t alone in these operations; HRW’s investigation also points to the “Operation Action Team,” a multi-agency task force including members from the DCI, Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), and military intelligence. Despite being officially under a DCI officer, the real control, according to Namwaya, lies with the NIS, which uses surveillance for these operations.

    Namwaya further disclosed the involvement of a secretive NIS group known as “Mafundi,” likened to mechanics tasked with the “dirty work” of abductions. “Mafundi are the foot soldiers when it comes to executing these operations,” he explained.

    The gravity of these allegations was underscored by a recent claim from Justin Muturi, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, who accused the NIS of abducting his son, bringing the issue to a national spotlight.

    African Division Human Rights Executive Director Mausi Segun when she released Human Rights Watch World Report 2025 in Nairobi, on January 16, 2025.

    HRW’s report suggests a pattern of targeting government critics and suspected traffickers, with operations not only in Nairobi but also in regions like Lamu, Garissa, and Mandera, where military intelligence has historically played a significant role in past abductions.

    Mausi Segun, Executive Director of HRW, emphasized that the responsibility for these actions ultimately falls on President Ruto. “It’s a complex web, but the trail leads directly to the top. There needs to be accountability,” Segun insisted.

    This investigation by HRW not only highlights the ongoing human rights concerns in Kenya but also calls for a thorough examination of the operations and oversight of its security agencies. The findings have sparked a debate on the need for reform and transparency within Kenya’s law enforcement and intelligence communities.

  • Tanzanian Journalist Maria Sarungi Rules Out Kenyan Police Involvement In Her Abduction

    Tanzanian Journalist Maria Sarungi Rules Out Kenyan Police Involvement In Her Abduction

    Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi has ruled out the involvement of Kenyan police in her abduction on Sunday.

    Narrating the ordeal to the press in Nairobi on Monday evening, she revealed that her abductors desperately avoided police checkpoints.

    “At some random stops, they ordered me to hide, and I could hear someone talking to them from outside the car,” Sarungi revealed.

    She said her abductors did not have any security escort but were instead independent.

    “After attempting to access my phone for the third time without success, they threatened to take me to the police. Thinking it was the police all along, I questioned who they were then,” Sarungi recalled.

    Sarungi further revealed that while in transit, her abductors kept making random stops and went outside the car to consult among themselves.

    She said that at one point, she was left in the car with one of the three men who abducted her to prevent her from escaping while the other two went outside to converse.

    “While inside the car, they were not talking, but from what I could see, they were signaling each other in a way I could not understand,” Sarungi said.

    Seized phone

    Sarungi revealed that her abductors primarily targeted her mobile phone, which they managed to take but fortunately without the password.

    “Realizing they couldn’t execute their plans successfully, they resorted to taking my phone,” she recalled.

    She also said her abductors were driving at high speed with the intent of getting her back to Tanzania.

    “When I asked why they wanted to take me to Tanzania, one of them told me I was needed in Tanzania because I have done wrong,’” Sarungi narrated.

    She revealed telling her abductors that she had done no wrong in Tanzania, but rather she was being sought after for being a vocal human rights activist.

    Sunday’s incident had sparked concerns over an emerging pattern of abduction of foreigners, ostensibly by Kenyan security agencies, the latest being the dramatic seizure of Uganda’s opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, in Nairobi and his forced return to Uganda, where he was presented in a military court.

    Kenyan security agencies have faced sustained criticism over the abduction of government critics with some reemrging after being held incommunicado for weeks.

    Sarungi unequivocally stated that her ordeal has only given her more zeal to continue defending human rights without fear of intimidation.

  • Resign Or I Table Impeachment Motion, Aldai MP Now Dares Muturi Over His Abductions Outburst

    Resign Or I Table Impeachment Motion, Aldai MP Now Dares Muturi Over His Abductions Outburst

    Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kittany has hit out at Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi for his recent outburst concerning the increasing number of abductions in the country.

    The lawmaker argues that as a Cabinet Secretary, Muturi has appropriate channels to express his concerns, rather than addressing them publicly as he did over the weekend.

    “Public Service CS Justin Muturi is a member of the Cabinet, where he can address any concerns he has. When he chooses to bring up the issue of abductions through the media, what does he expect ordinary Kenyans to do?” she stated.

    Kittany contends that there was no justification for his decision to address the issue via the press.

    “The Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in the Republic of Kenya. Justin Muturi is a member of this Cabinet, and it is there that he should have sought answers regarding the abduction of his son,” reiterated the legislator.

    She insists that the CS’s actions were ill-advised and in poor taste, warranting his resignation from the cabinet. Should Muturi ignore her calls, Kittany warned that she will draft a motion to seek his removal from office.

  • CS Muturi Condemns Govt Over Abductions, Calls for Open Debate

    CS Muturi Condemns Govt Over Abductions, Calls for Open Debate

    Nairobi – Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Justin Muturi, has publicly criticized the Kenyan security sector for its apparent inaction regarding the ongoing abductions. During a media briefing on January 12, 2025, Muturi highlighted the discrepancy between the security forces’ denial of involvement and their failure to prevent these abductions, which he noted are occurring “publicly in broad daylight.”

    Muturi shared a personal experience, revealing that his son was among those abducted. “My son was abducted and disappeared. I was not sure whether he was alive or dead,” he said, recounting the distressing period where he was unable to locate his son despite multiple inquiries. His son was eventually released after more than six months without any charges being filed against him.

    The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of democratic principles, stating, “If youths have issues with the government that they want to raise, let us allow them to do so because that is what democracy is all about. We are a democratic county. It is our duty as government to ensure that everybody lives freely and is able to say what they think.”

    Muturi’s comments come at a time when there is increasing public concern over security practices and the government’s responsibility towards its citizens. He stressed that his personal experience as a victim positioned within the government compelled him to speak out. “Since I am also a victim while serving in this government, I have taken this unusual step so that abductions and extra-judicial activities can be debated in the country in order to find a solution,” Muturi explained.

    He warned of the potential consequences of such unchecked actions, suggesting that they could “plunge the country into chaos and anarchy.” This statement echoes a broader conversation trending on social media platforms, where there’s significant public outcry and demand for accountability regarding government actions.

    Muturi’s call for an open debate on these issues marks a significant moment, signaling a possible shift or at least a moment of reflection within the government about its policies on security and civil liberties. His position as a Cabinet Secretary lends weight to the urgency of addressing these concerns, potentially prompting other officials and civil society to engage more actively in finding solutions to prevent such violations in the future.

  • Omtatah Recounts Meeting Kibet Bull Before His Disappearance And Car With Mounted Communication Kit Trailing Him

    Omtatah Recounts Meeting Kibet Bull Before His Disappearance And Car With Mounted Communication Kit Trailing Him

    Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has recounted the last known movements of social media influencer Kibet Bull, who vanished on Christmas Eve.

    Bull had met with Omtatah at his office to discuss joining his team before his planned studies in Israel. Omtatah’s driver and colleague, Wyclife Nyakina, last saw Bull near the National Archives Building around 5pm, heading to Kikuyu.

    Omtatah later reported Bull’s abduction to the Upper Hill Police Station, claiming that Bull was tracked by a suspicious white Subaru Forester mounted with a strange communication device seen outside his office during the meeting.

    The Subaru seen outside Omtatah’s office.

    The National Police Service, through Inspector General Douglas Kanja, has denied any involvement in recent abductions, stating no police station holds those reported missing. Omtatah has demanded explanations from Kanja and the Director of Criminal Investigations, calling for Bull’s immediate release and clarity on other similar cases.

    Additional missing persons include Bill Mwangi, taken from a barbershop in Embu, and Peter Muteti, abducted in Uthiru. Kanja has urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation that could damage the police’s reputation, emphasizing responsible use of freedom of expression.

  • Kenya Was Fully Aware Of Besigye’s Abduction In Nairobi, Ugandan Authorities Confirm

    Kenya Was Fully Aware Of Besigye’s Abduction In Nairobi, Ugandan Authorities Confirm

    Kampala on Friday threw Nairobi under the bus in the controversial saga surrounding the abduction of veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi and his subsequent transfer to Kampala to face charges.

    Ugandan Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi confirmed on live television that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government coordinated with Kenya in the abduction of the opposition leader from Nairobi.

    In an interview on Uganda’s NBS TV on Friday, Baryomunsi said the government of Uganda was coordinating with its Kenyan counterpart in the arrest of Kizza Besigye.

    The minister went further to question how the arrest could have occurred without Kenya’s full knowledge and support.

    “How would you arrest somebody in the middle of Nairobi and then bring him back to Uganda without the full knowledge and support of the government in Kenya?”

    This fresh revelation now puts Nairobi in a tight diplomatic spot, after Kenya vehemently denied participation in Besigye’s abduction which has been condemned widely.

    Kenya’s Foreign Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei denied Kenya’s involvement after news of Besigye’s abduction from Nairobi emerged.

    “There is no reason whatsoever for Kenya to be a party to his arrest, if any,” he said.

    He also defended Kenya’s human rights record.

    “Our human rights record is enviable in the region.”

    Besigye has run against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in four elections and lost each time, although he has always rejected the results.

    On Wednesday, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, claimed her husband had been kidnapped in Nairobi on Saturday at an apartment complex on Riverside Drive.

    According to his family, Besigye was abducted in Nairobi and taken to Uganda and detained in a military prison.

    “I request the government of Uganda to release my husband Dr Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately. He was kidnapped last Saturday while he was in Nairobi for Hon Martha Karua’s book launch. I am now reliably informed that he is in a military jail in Kampala. We, his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Byanyima posted on her X handle.

    Following Besigye’s arrest, his party, through Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat, said they would organise protests at the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala on Monday to express their displeasure with Kenya’s hand in the matter.