Mystery of Kinyagia's disappearance: Are abductees warned before being freed?

Activist Ndiangui Kinyagia at Milimani Law Courts on July 3, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] When he appeared in court on July 3, 2025, Ndiang'ui Kinyagia seemed to be in deep thought as his legal team fought hard to save him from arrest. Unlike the photos that were doing rounds on social media after he was reported missing, Kinyagai resurfaced without his afro hairstyle as if a scissor was used to shave him. His appearance in court coincided with that of DCI boss Amin Mohamed who had been summoned to explain Ndiang'ui's whereabouts. Even so, questions still linger about his alleged abduction, even as sources now claim he might not be okay, contrary to reports that he was hiding at a relative's place to avoid arrest ahead of June 25, protests. Ndiang'ui's family lawyer, Wahome Thuku who first broke the news of his resurfacing, had earlier said the family was to set the record straight but this did not materialise. However, family sources indicated that Ndiang'ui was to be taken for medical checkup before he could be allowed to speak about his ordeal. Sources further confirmed that he had been advised to stay off social media. This has revived the memories of the spate of abductions in the country that hit its peak in December 2024 when five youthful men were abducted under unclear circumstances and vanished for two weeks, sparking anxiety among their families and Kenyans. The victims were Billy Mwangi, Ronny Kiplangat, his brother and cartoonist Gideon Kibet Bull, Peter Muteti and Bernard Kavuli. From the emotional moments in court to the endless search for their children, the families did not comprehend the true meaning of the festive season as they prayed and hoped for their return, unharmed. However, after the prolonged search, the abductees emerged from different locations of the country and later shared harrowing experiences in the hands of abductors. After they were released, the abductees did not go on record on where and who had abducted them, leaving questions about those behind the acts. Billy Mwangi, a college student and blogger was reportedly abducted by four hooded men at a barbershop in Embu town on December 21, 2024. Mwangi was set free 15 days later and when he arrived at their gate, he was distressed and quickly rushed to Frevane private hospital for medical check-up. On the fateful day, Mwangi said he was headed to a nearby barbershop and planned to return home to watch football with his father. Meanwhile, Kavuli was found abandoned in Kitale and efforts were made by police officers to facilitate his return after his abduction on December 22, 2024. Also found was Kiplangat who went missing in late December 2024. He was abducted in the compound of Kikuyu SDA church by individuals in a Probox and was dumped in Machakos. He was also unable to talk about his 10-day ordeal while his brother Kibet Bull was dumped in Luanda. Cartoonist Gideon Kibet Bull, was behind silhouette cartoon memes critical of the President and his henchmen that had gone viral. On the day he was abducted, Kibet had met with Busia Senator Okiya Omtata in his office and was scheduled to travel to Israel for a student programme. He said he was dropped off in Luanda, Vihiga County in the wee hours by his abductors and opted to seek temporary aboard as he planned for his journey back home. "I heard one of them asking his colleague to take out his knife and I thought they were about to kill me. But they cut what was binding my arms. They then removed the blindfold and told me to run and not look back," he said. Similarly, Muteti, 22 who was abducted in Uthiru on December 21, 2024 was dumped in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and reunited with his family. Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi was also not spared by the abductors who went after his son Leslie Muturi. According to the CS, it took the intervention of President William Ruto to have his son freed after then Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji ignored his calls and those of then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure, who is now the Deputy President. Muturi was the country's Attorney General at the time the widely-reported incident happened. Leslie was abducted at around 9:30pm by hooded gunmen from his vehicle on his way to a party in Lavington, while in the company of Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenye and his driver, Marangu Imanyara on June 22, 2024. While most of the abductions did not share their experiences, only Billy Mwangi painted the harrowing experience of what he underwent and now in active politics eyeing political seat in Kirinyaga.

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Mystery of Kinyagia's disappearance: Are abductees warned before being freed?

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