The families of two brothers from Kitengela who have been missing for ten days after allegedly being abducted have shared fresh details of the traumatic event.
Their kins, brothers Jamil Longton, Aslam Longton vanished together with activist Brian Njagi vanished on August 19 after they were reportedly taken by individuals in suits who claimed to be police officers from Nairobi but provided no reason for the arrests.
The brothers have been missing for ten days despite the High Court of Kenya directing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Police to disclose their whereabouts.
Distraught families revealed a new report shedding light on the vehicle allegedly involved in the abduction as they continue seeking answers from the government regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones.
While speaking to the press, the victims’ families alleged that a car captured on CCTV was the one Jamil and his brother used just minutes before their disappearance.
“A Subaru lingered here for a long time, with the driver, dressed in black, getting in and out. Then he sped off, braked suddenly, grabbed my brothers, and took off,” said Razzak Longton, brother to Jamil and Aslay.
Jamil’s wife, Salo Muhamed, on her part said that she was overwhelmed and has not slept since her husband was abducted ten days ago.
“I am bewildered that to this day I haven’t seen them. Even if they have committed a crime, shouldn’t they be taken to court? His child keeps asking me, ‘Why is it only my father they keep taking)” She lamented.
Families of Abducted Kitengela Brothers and Activist plea for justice
The same script plays at the home of Bob Njagi. His parents have waited in vain, holding onto hope that he will show up at the doorstep or, at the very least, that he is somewhere in police custody.
“We want the government to act fairly and release our son or take him to court. I’m asking the President to come out for us; tujue kama ni mzima au laa, na tujue uzima wao uko namna gani. (We want to know if they are alive or not and in what condition they are),” said Frank Njagi, father to Bob.
Also Read: Questions Emerge After Three People Go Missing in Suspected Police Abductions
The families’ plea for justice and answers continues as the days pass without any news on their loved ones despite The High Court of Kenya has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Police to disclose the whereabouts.
Following their arrest, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) led by President Faith Odhiambo filed a petition for the grant of a writ of habeas corpus for the production and release of the three.
Odhiambo said that the trio was reportedly arrested and held incommunicado, with their families having no information on where they are being held.
Court order
Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the High Court has since allowed the application by LSK, in turn directing DCI and police to immediately disclose their whereabouts and release them or arraign them in court.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this application inter partes an order is hereby issued directing the Respondents to immediately disclose the whereabouts of the 2nd to 4th Petitioners to the 1st Petitioner,” read part of the ruling.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this Application inter partes an order is hereby issued directing the Respondents to immediately release or produce the 2nd to 4th Petitioners before any Court of competent jurisdiction to make such orders as may be appropriate to uphold the rights and fundamental freedoms of the 2nd to 4th Petitioners.”
A police report at the Kitengela Police Station indicated that Njagi was abducted while riding in a matatu, while Aslam and Jamil were taken from their car, which was left at the roadside.
The three are among dozens who have been abducted by individuals posing as police officers since the onset of the Gen Z protests, during which several people were found dead, and others remain missing.
DCI and President Ruto refute abduction claims
However, the Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohamed has refuted claims that the directorate is involved in the rampant kidnappings that have been witnessed in the country, in the recent past.
Also Read: Court Intervenes as Two Brothers, Activist Go Missing in Alleged Police Abduction
President William Ruto has also maintained that he is not aware of any Kenyan who was reportedly abducted by the country’s security agencies during or after the recent spate of anti-government protests across the nation.
President Ruto made the claims during a town hall session in Kisumu on Thursday August 29 evening, urging citizens whose kin or friends have reportedly gone missing under mysterious circumstances during protests to come forward with their names to action to be taken by the government.
“If there is a family that their child or friend or relative went to a demonstration, whether it is last year or this year, and never came back, I want to know the names because I will take firm and decisive action,” he said.
The Head of State tasked Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who was also present, to take up the matter and ensure that the cases are followed to the latter and the missing individuals found.
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