Residents of Kairi village in Mathioya sub-county, Murang’a County, are in shock following the abduction of a father and his son by unknown assailants. Joseph Machiri, a 60-year-old former Member of County Assembly (MCA) who served from 2013 to 2017, was taken from his home by a group of armed men on Sunday night.
CCTV footage from the politician’s property showed the assailants, who were masked and carrying guns, some of whom were seen with gas cylinders believed to have been used to break into his house. Hours earlier, his son, David Machiri, had been abducted from his residence in the Thogoto area of Kiambu County.
According to Machiri’s family, over ten gunmen entered their home just before 11 PM, cut off the power, and forcibly took him away. The incident has left the family feeling shaken and fearful for their safety and that of their two other relatives.
The family’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, noted that both father and son had recently been granted bail in an ongoing Sh1.5 billion fraud case filed by a bank, with David working at the bank. Njiru mentioned that David had been arrested on July 12 and charged with defrauding the financial institution.
“The prosecution applied to have him detained for 21 days but the court declined the application and granted him bail,” Njiru said.
Machiri, David’s father, had also been listed as a suspect in the case.
Njiru pointed an accusing finger at security agencies saying the abductions are a continuation of the abuse of power displayed in recent months.
“I informed the family to report the matter at the nearest police station and they did so, and the police came to the homestead and saw how the gate and doors had been destroyed.
He challenged the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to intervene and ensure his two clients whose whereabouts are still unknown are released.
“This is not the Kenya people want. Kenyans want a country where the rule of law is followed and respected.”
Machiri’s wife Nancy Wambui explained that they had spent the day at the local church before going back home.
“We had just retired to bed when the dogs started barking aggressively and we were curious as to what was happening outside”.
Wambui said the dogs were reacting to the men who were trying to break down the gate to her homestead.
She said when they realized that their home was under attack, they raised a call of alarm and neighbours responded immediately and rushed to her home but were shocked to find the gunmen loitering in her home.
Kenneth Mwangi, Machiri’s brother who lives next to the family, said it was shocking to see the covered men in the compound.
“I came armed with a panga but found people armed with guns and they commanded me to go back to the house. They sounded like security officers,” he said.
David’s wife Susan Mwaura said she left her husband at their Kiambu home and headed to church on Sunday.
Afterwards, she found a missed call from him and when she called back, his phone was switched off.
“Up to now, I do not know where he is,” she said, seemingly distraught.
Mathioya sub-county police commander Paul Karobia confirmed having received reports of the abductions but said investigations are underway to establish who took them.
“We have received reports that Machiri was abducted by thugs who were armed with guns and had a car without number plates”.
“They went to his home and even took his mobile phone and his wife’s mobile phone before taking off with him. The DCI is following up on the matter keenly and we have a lead. We are hoping to make headways soon.”
