Kenyan activist Collins Otieno has been found alive near Kasarani, six days after he went missing under alarming circumstances, with visible injuries including burn marks on his legs pointing to a brutal ordeal in captivity.
A boda boda rider discovered Otieno along Thika Road at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Collins Otieno rushed to Nyamira Hospital He immediately rushed him to Nyamira Hospital, where he received first aid and initial treatment.
He was later discharged to enable coordination efforts with other advocates working on his case.
Otieno had reportedly gone missing while attempting to locate fellow activist Mulinge Muteti, who had himself disappeared before being found dumped in the Lukenya area on Friday, just one day before Otieno resurfaced.
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid speaks
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid, who had been at the forefront of calls for the release of both men, confirmed the news and expressed relief while raising urgent concerns about the safety of human rights defenders in the country
. “The other abducted person, one of the activists, Collins Otieno, has been found. He was dumped somewhere near Kasarani this morning at 4:30 a.m. Good Samaritans brought him to Nyamira Hospital, and we are very thankful to the people at Nyamira Hospital. They treated him and gave him first aid,” an individual said.
Khalid added that Otieno had not been able to speak since arriving at the hospital, though his account, once shared, painted a grim picture of his time in captivity.
Activists concerned about their lives
“According to his testimony, he was brutally beaten up. He also has burn marks on his leg, clearly indicating that the last few days have been very tough on him,” Khalid said.
The activists used the moment to press authorities for formal assurances, calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior to publicly commit to protecting human rights defenders.
“We are concerned that our lives are in danger, and we are speaking to the IG of police and the CS Interior to come out and assure us of our security and safety as human rights defenders because the work of human rights defenders is properly protected by various human rights conventions, treaties and laws,” an activist said.
