In December 2024, the mysterious abduction of four men from Mlolongo, Machakos County, Kenya, sent shockwaves through the nation. The victims—Kulani Muema, Martin Nziuku, Justus Mutumwa, and Steve Mbisi—were reportedly taken by masked individuals believed to be police officers. Their families’ relentless search for answers has been met with silence and bureaucratic hurdles, highlighting systemic …
In December 2024, the mysterious abduction of four men from Mlolongo, Machakos County, Kenya, sent shockwaves through the nation. The victims—Kulani Muema, Martin Nziuku, Justus Mutumwa, and Steve Mbisi—were reportedly taken by masked individuals believed to be police officers. Their families’ relentless search for answers has been met with silence and bureaucratic hurdles, highlighting systemic issues within Kenya’s law enforcement and judicial systems.
In December 2024, the mysterious abduction of four men from Mlolongo, Machakos County, Kenya, sent shockwaves through the nation. The victims—Kulani Muema, Martin Nziuku, Justus Mutumwa, and Steve Mbisi—were reportedly taken by masked individuals believed to be police officers. Their families’ relentless search for answers has been met with silence and bureaucratic hurdles, highlighting systemic issues within Kenya’s law enforcement and judicial systems.
Chronology of Events
December 16-17, 2024: The four men were abducted in Mlolongo by individuals in police uniforms. Witnesses reported seeing the men taken in broad daylight, but no official records of their detention have emerged.
December 21, 2024: Families reported the disappearances to both the Mlolongo Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Athi River. Despite these reports, no updates on their whereabouts were provided.
January 17, 2025: Justice Chacha Mwita of the High Court ordered Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Mohammed Amin to appear in court and present the missing men, dead or alive. The police chiefs failed to appear, leading to further frustration for the families.
January 30, 2025: After multiple summonses, Kanja and Amin appeared in court but denied holding the men in custody. They stated that investigations were ongoing. On the same day, the bodies of Justus Mutumwa and Martin Mwau were discovered at the Nairobi City Mortuary. The circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.
February 2, 2025: Investigations revealed that one of the missing men, Kulani Muema, possessed multiple mobile phone lines not registered in his name. The DCI summoned four individuals whose identity cards were used to register these lines, indicating potential identity theft or fraudulent activities.
VOCAL Africa’s Involvement
The human rights organization VOCAL Africa has been at the forefront of advocating for justice in this case. They have provided legal assistance to the families and have been instrumental in pressuring authorities to act. Their efforts include filing petitions in court and organizing peaceful demonstrations to raise awareness about the disappearances.
Upcoming Court Dates
As of February 22, 2025, the High Court has scheduled a hearing on March 5, 2025, to review the progress of the investigations. VOCAL Africa and the families of the victims are expected to present new evidence and testimonies to expedite the search for the remaining missing men, Kulani Muema and Steve Mbisi.
Broader Implications
The case of the Mlolongo Four underscores the persistent issues of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions in Kenya. The apparent involvement of individuals in police uniforms has eroded public trust in law enforcement agencies. Human rights organizations, including VOCAL Africa, continue to call for comprehensive police reforms, transparency in investigations, and accountability for those responsible.
As the upcoming court date approaches, the families, supported by civil society, remain steadfast in their quest for truth and justice. The outcomes of this case could set a significant precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially leading to much-needed reforms within Kenya’s security apparatus.
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