Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja, and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Amin were notably absent on Wednesday when they were summoned to appear before the High Court regarding a series of abductions in Kenya. The case revolves around the disappearances of six youths in December 2024, who have since been reunited with their families. Despite the summons, the three top security officials did not appear in court, prompting concern and increasing questions about the role of security agencies in these incidents.
Murkomen, however, was represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, while IG Kanja was represented by lawyer Paul Nyamondi. National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General George Njao, who was also expected to testify, sent Collins Kipkorir, the NTSA Registration and Licensing manager, as his representative.
The abductions, which drew national attention, were linked to social media posts by the youths that criticized President William Ruto and the state. Among the victims were digital cartoonist Gideon Kibet (alias Kibet Bull), his brother Ronny Kiplangat, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Steve Mbisi, and Bernard Kavuli. While five of the youths were released on January 6, 2025, and found in various locations across the country, Steve Mbisi remains missing.
IG Kanja had previously denied that the National Police Service (NPS) or national security forces were involved in the abductions, stating that the police had no knowledge of the incidents. This statement raised more questions among Kenyans, especially considering the scale and nature of the disappearances.
One of the victims, Billy Mwangi, reportedly endured severe torture during his captivity. Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who visited the family after Billy’s release, suggested that whipping and food deprivation were among the methods of abuse used against him. The silence surrounding the full details of the youths’ ordeals, coupled with the security agencies’ responses, has only fueled public suspicions about the involvement of state security forces in these disappearances. The case remains unresolved as questions continue to mount.
