Victims of abductions and their families are now calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene and address the growing trend of forced disappearances in Kenya. The abductions have escalated since the onset of anti-government protests in June 2024, with many critics of the government going missing under mysterious circumstances.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, activist Bob Njagi, leader of the Free Kenya Movement, shared his own traumatic experience, alleging that he was specifically targeted by the State. “The State is targeting us because we are witnesses to the abductions,” Njagi said, emphasizing the dangers faced by those who dare to speak out against the ongoing atrocities. He has become one of many who believe the government is silencing dissenting voices through intimidation, threats, and forced disappearances.
The family of Justus Musyimi, one of the three men from Mlolongo who went missing, also recounted their harrowing ordeal. Duncan Kyalo, Musyimi’s brother, revealed that he had been receiving threatening phone calls warning him to stay silent about his brother’s disappearance. Kyalo suspected that security officers were following him, an indication that his family’s cries for justice were being closely monitored by the authorities.
Kyalo went on to describe the shocking state of his brother’s body, which was found with deep cuts, broken wrists, and tightly bound hands. Musyimi’s death remained shrouded in mystery, but a phone call from a police officer revealed a chilling truth. “I was told my brother was in Lamu. I was warned not to speak about it or my brother would end up in the morgue,” Kyalo said. Tragically, his brother’s body was eventually discovered at the City Mortuary, but the circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown.
Annette Nerima, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) programme manager for inclusion and political justice, voiced concerns over the deliberate silencing of witnesses by the government. “Crimes against humanity should not be condoned, and accountability must be ensured,” Nerima stated, calling for the government to take responsibility for these abductions.
The abductions have drawn widespread condemnation from both local and international communities. Human rights groups are urging the ICC to step in and hold accountable those responsible for these heinous acts. With the ongoing wave of disappearances, it remains to be seen whether the international community will intervene to stop the vice that is plaguing Kenya
