National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) Kenya leader Martha Karua has condemned the rising cases of abductions in the country, calling for urgent action following the discovery of the bodies of two of the Mlolongo four abductees in a mortuary.
In a statement dated January 31, 2025, Karua decried the gruesome fate of Justus Musyimi and Martin Mwau, who were among four individuals abducted between December 16, 2024 and December 17, 2024, in Mlolongo.
The two were found dead on January 30, 2025, while the whereabouts of the other two victims, Steve Kavingo Mbisi and Kalani Muema, remain unknown.
“It is more than painful for the families of Justus Musyimi and Martin Mwau to have their loved ones turn up dead in the mortuary after a long, torturous wait hoping to see them alive,” Karua stated.
She criticized the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, and the Director of Criminal Investigations Boss, Mohammed Amin, for claiming ignorance regarding the abductions and subsequent murders.
“The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of DCI Mohammed Amin swear that they know nothing about the abductions and subsequent murders of Mwau and Musyimi. These statements are not only distressing but also disrespectful to the people of Kenya who handsomely pay these top officers and equip them well to secure the country against internal threats, and to maintain law and order,” Karua said.
Rise in abductions
Karua highlighted a worrying trend of enforced disappearances, listing several cases that have occurred over the past year.
She listed the abduction and deportation of 36 Ugandans in Kisumu, the disappearance of Wajir MCA Yusuf Hussein, the attempted kidnapping of Tanzanian journalist Maria Sarungi, the abduction of the son of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi and the refoulement of seven Turkish asylum seekers.
“These are not the only abductions which have happened in the recent past. We now know of Leslie Muturi, son of CS Justin Muturi who was abducted and released after his father intervened at the highest level of government,” she said.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), over 82 people have gone missing since the youth-led protests in June 2024.
The escalating cases, she warned, indicate that abductions are becoming normalized.
“Since the events of last year, abductions have become the new epidemic in Kenya, transforming the country into an “abduction paradise,” Karua said
Government’s responsibility
According to Karua, the government, particularly the National Security Council led by President William Ruto, must take responsibility for these abductions.
She pointed out that security agencies under the executive’s leadership share intelligence and coordinate operations, making it unlikely that they are unaware of the kidnappings.
“Since the ‘abduct and execute’ epidemic afflicted the country almost a year ago, these security organs cannot claim not to know what is going on. There has not been any shake-up of leadership in these institutions, meaning that Dr Ruto and his regime are satisfied with the status quo,” she added.
Karua further stated that state security agencies either participate in the abductions or cover up for those responsible, citing past cases where the government admitted involvement.
“The buck stops with the executive and specifically with Dr. Ruto. The abductions admitted by the state like that of the Turkish nationals, of the 36 Ugandans in Kisumu and of Dr. Kizza Besigye bear striking similarities with the other abductions, making it inescapable a conclusion that state security agencies are part of the abductions or are covering up whichever agency is responsible,” Karua stated.
Call to action
The NARC Kenya leader urged Kenyans, civil society, religious groups, and professional organizations to take a stand against the rising wave of enforced disappearances.
“We must refuse to normalize abductions and extrajudicial executions of citizens, especially our youth. If one of us is not safe, then none of us is safe. The time to act is now,” Karua said.
She also praised the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for their relentless efforts in fighting against the abduction crisis and called for a national civil society conference to discuss the way forward.
“We must unite and liberate ourselves from this vicious assault on the right to life and liberty,” she concluded.
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