Activities in Embu Town came to a standstill on December 27, 2024, after protests by a section of residents who took to the streets demanding the release of social media influencer Billy Mwangi who was allegedly abducted.
Billy Mwangi went missing on the afternoon of Saturday, December 21, after being forcibly taken from a barbershop in Embu town.
Witnesses reported that four masked and armed men alleged to be police officers abducted him, bundling him into a double-cabin pickup truck before speeding off towards the Embu-Nairobi Highway.
Reports further suggested that Billy may have been abducted by the alleged officers due to a social media post that some considered inappropriate.
Since his abduction, Billy’s father Gerald Mwangi has pleaded with security agencies and even President William Ruto, asking him to intervene if the government was involved in his son’s disappearance.
Following the disappearance, residents of Embu on Friday took to the streets in solidarity with the social media influencer and his parents.
Photos seen by The Kenya Times showed residents holding placards, while others set tyres on fire along the road, blocking sections of the street and bringing businesses to a standstill.
Protests erupt in Embu town
Traffic flow along the Embu -Kiritiri road was also disrupted by the irate residents.
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Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri had on Thursday revealed that Billy’s mother is currently hospitalized after her son went missing.
In a statement, Theuri said that he spoke with Billy Mwangi’s father who expressed deep frustration and hopelessness in his voice.
According to the father, Billy’s mother is in the hospital due to the emotional distress caused by her son’s abduction.
“I have spoken with the father of Billy Mwangi. The frustration and hopelessness in his voice are heart-wrenching. He informs me that the mother is unwell and admitted to the hospital as a result of his abduction. I have assured him that we will petition the court for a write of habeas corpus. It’s the least we can do,” Theuri stated.
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Since Saturday, the family has conducted searches across the county with no success.
Mwangi is among 7 youths who have been allegedly abducted this month after making controversial social media posts targeting President Ruto and his government.
Other youths reported missing include cartoonist Kibet Bull, his brother Ronny Kiplangat, Benard Kavuli, and Peter Muteti.
Ongoing abductions in the country condemned
The four cases, however, are just the tip of the iceberg, as the incidents have been witnessed since the wake of the anti-government protests in June.
Also Read: Gachagua Addresses Ruto on the Wave of Abductions Targeting Critics
Their abductions have been widely condemned by many Kenyans, including political leaders, religious figures, civil society groups, and various institutions.
The Judiciary also released a statement denouncing these abductions and urged security agencies to protect citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
In the statement, the Judiciary affirmed that abductions have no place in law adding that they are a direct threat to the rights of citizens
“The Judiciary has taken note of recent reports regarding resurfaced abductions. Kenya is a constitutional democracy, where the rule of law is a foundational value and guiding principle of our governance. Abductions have no place in law and are a direct threat to the rights of citizens.
In light of these reports, we strongly urge security agencies and all related entities to adhere to the law in order to safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms,” the statement read.
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