Kenyans are concerned about the escalation of kidnapping instances in the country, which they believe is linked to the continuing protests over the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
This comes after Kenyans thought to be leading or vocal about the protests were mysteriously kidnapped by officers and taken to unknown locations, only to be freed hours later after public outcry.
As of Monday morning, four known abductions and one attempted case had been reported, prompting questions about why these Kenyans are being arrested so irresponsibly.
Vexed Kenyans have refused to be intimidated by the abductions, creating posters with the words “Abductions won’t stop us” to show that they will not give up in their fight against the Bill.
On Sunday night, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir shared a video on X that showed a small boy being stolen by four men and hurried into a nearby waiting car.
“The rate of so-called unknown abductions clearly indicates a return of an era Kenyans had wished away. You cannot silence people through making them disappear. A young boy was abducted today at Bamburi Go Kart and others were abducted in Nairobi. This is definitely not the Kenya we want,” he said.
Hours prior Dr. Austin Omondi, also known as Ja Prado, was released hours after being allegedly kidnapped in Nairobi at the Sikh Union on Forest Road.
Dr. Omondi, who was running a blood donation drive for injured protesters, was forcibly taken by individuals in a vehicle bearing the registration number KCU 819H.
He later provided an update on X, stating, “I was abducted incommunicado by the Kenya Police this afternoon and taken in by the NIS while conducting a blood donation drive at the Sikh Union.
” Car used was KCU 819H. My family and legal representatives have been denied access to me. I appeal for your support in demanding my immediate release.”
Following his abduction, the KMPDU, which represents 10,000 medical doctors in Kenya’s public and private sectors, called for his immediate and unconditional release. They threatened to shut down all public and private medical services in order to locate their colleague.
The same abduction pattern was witnessed on Saturday night Leslie Muturi, the son of Attorney General (AG) Justin Muturi, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday night in Nairobi’s Lavington area.
Muturi “had been found and released in a police station where he was kidnapped,” according to a Sunday statement to the public by his close friends who had raised alarm following his reported abduction.
Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje revealed in a video that Leslie had been abducted and his car abandoned by the road.
The incident followed the abduction of prominent X user Billy Simani, better known as Crazy Nairobian, who was on Saturday evening released from police custody following his arrest on Friday.
His release came after over 50,000 Kenyans joined an X Space on Saturday, calling for his release.
Reasons behind his arrest have however remained a mystery despite claims by digital strategist Dennis Itumbi that the influencer was accused of sending threatening messages to a public servant.
Activist Boniface Mwangi also wrote on X that he shall remain hushed after surviving an abduction attempt.
“I just survived a possible kidnapping attempt by @DCI_Kenya officers. Anyone who stands between the will of the people shall fail. I’m going to be offline. Continue with the struggle!,” he wrote.
One of the top mobilisers of the demonstrations Shad Khalif has also reportedly been abducted as Kenyans online are now demanding his immediate release.
