Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah was reported missing on the evening of Monday, December 30, after being arrested alongside other anti-abduction protesters.
The group had been demonstrating along Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi’s city centre, protesting against the rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances targeting government critics.
Following his arrest, Omtatah was reportedly taken to Gigiri Police Station for questioning.
However, Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru later raised concerns about his whereabouts, claiming the senator was missing at the station.
Omtatah Reported Missing
He revealed that they had gone to Gigiri Police Station with NARC Kenya Party leader Martha Karua, but they were unable to trace him.
“Fellow Kenyans, Senator Omtatah is missing. He was picked up by the police. We, alongside Martha Karua, have been to Gigiri Police Station in search of Senator Omtatah. However, he has not been booked at the station, and his whereabouts remain unknown,” Njiru wrote on social media.
Also Read: Okiya Omtatah Arrested in Nairobi CBD
Activist Harnifa Frasafi, a close ally of Omtatah, also confirmed the senator was not at Gigiri Police Station.
“Okiya is not at Gigiri police station; they’re taking him somewhere unknown. We have people following the car they’re taking him in!” she said.
Earlier, a group of youth had camped outside Central Police Station, demanding the release of the vocal senator.
Whereabouts revealed
It has since been confirmed that Omtatah is being held at Kamukunji Police Station. Videos circulating online show the senator sitting in a cell, where he could be heard stating that he is “handling” the situation.
Omtatah, along with a group of youths consisting of activists and concerned citizens, had chained themselves together and sat on the ground in a symbolic act of resistance.
The chain link created significant challenges for police officers attempting to disperse the protesters. However, a heavy deployment of officers eventually managed to arrest the group, who were bundled into police vehicles and taken away.
Also Read:Â DCI Responds to Omtatah After Allegations of Abducting Kibet Bull
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Senator Files Petition for State to Release Abductees
The lawmaker had earlier on the day moved to the High Court seeking orders to force the police and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to produce seven youths abducted in December whether dead or alive.
Through his lawyer Philip Langat, Omtatah sued the Inspector General of Police, the DCI, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
