The government has dismissed reports by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) that at least 82 people have been abducted or forcibly disappeared since June 2024.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the figures released by KNCHR were exaggerated and not based on official government records.
“As the government, we do not agree with these figures. These are numbers from activists, and many times, people tend to inflate such statistics. The official report is the government’s report,” Mwaura said.
His remarks come days after KNCHR issued a statement condemning what it described as a worrying pattern of abductions targeting vocal government critics, particularly those active on social media.
The commission reported that 13 new cases had been recorded in the last three months, with seven occurring in December. Six of those individuals remain missing.
Former KNCHR chairperson Roseline Odede stated that security agencies had failed to investigate and prosecute those behind the abductions, warning that Kenya risked regressing into a period of fear and intimidation.
However, Mwaura argued that some of the reported disappearances might involve individuals who had been lawfully arrested.
“There are people claiming to have been abducted, but some of these cases might involve individuals who were lawfully apprehended in accordance with the law,” he said.
He further dismissed the report, asserting that only the government has the authority to release official figures on such matters.
Recent abductions and releases
As the debate over enforced disappearances continues, four young Kenyans who had been abducted in December 2024 were released to their families in January 2025.
On January 6, 2025, the families of Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Rony Kiplangat confirmed they had made contact with their loved ones.
Kiplangat, who was abducted in Nairobi, was found in Machakos County, while Kavuli, who was taken from Ngong, resurfaced in Kitale. Muteti was found in Nairobi’s Central Business District, with his family stating that he appeared disoriented and is now recovering at home.
The youth were reportedly targeted after posting criticism of President William Ruto and his administration on social media.
Abductees were tortured
According to KNCHR, the released abductees were subjected to physical torture and interrogated about their criticism of the government. They were also ordered to delete certain posts from their social media accounts.
The petitioners reported being forcibly shaved, stripped naked and left without clothes for several days before they were returned to them.
Before their release, each abductee was reportedly given transport money ranging between Ksh2,000 and Ksh3,500 to return to their respective homes.
During the court proceedings, the petitioners—represented by the Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute, and other interested parties—demanded that the missing persons be produced in court, whether alive or dead.
Still missing
Despite the release of some abducted individuals, several others remain unaccounted for.
On December 16 and 17, 2024, four friends disappeared from Mlolongo in Machakos County and have neither been seen nor heard from since.
Martin Zyuko Mwau, Kalani Mwema, Steven Mbisi Kavingo, and Justus Mutumwa Musyimi, all aged between 29 and 35, went missing in quick succession under unclear circumstances.
Their families have called on authorities to provide answers and intensify efforts to locate their loved ones.
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