CS Murkomen Summoned To Explain Why 6 Abducted Kenyans Have Not Been Released
The case regarding the whereabouts of the six Kenyans took a fresh twist on Tuesday, December 31.
Marvin Chege 
The High Court has summoned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to explain the failure to release six Kenyan youths who were reported to have been abducted recently.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued fresh orders at Milimani Law Courts directing Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to attend a hearing. The case regarding the whereabouts of the six Kenyans took a fresh twist on Tuesday, December 31.
The six include Gideon Kibet, alias Kibet Bull, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Billy Mwangi, Rony Kiplangat and Steve Kavingo, who are reportedly victims of forced disappearance and illegal detention.
Kanja was expected to appear before the courts on Tuesday after an initial court order, but the Inspector General of Police was a no-show in what was a potential contempt of court. Other state officers, including the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin and the Attorney General, failed to comply.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja addressing the media on July 23, 2024. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE
The police IG and Murkomen are expected to attend court on January 8, 2025. The latter on Friday, December 27 attracted controversy after denying any state involvement in the disappearance of the six missing persons.
"As a government, we are in agreement that NPS under the command of Inspector General is independent and so we are not going to interfere with their work," Murkomen boldly stated.
On Monday, December 30, the High Court ordered the immediate release of the six individuals allegedly abducted and detained by state authorities.
This follows a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on the same, with a certificate of urgency filed by the petitioners, who claimed that they were unlawfully detained by the police and other security agencies.
Justice Bahati Mwamuyé granted a Habeas Corpus order requiring that the petitioners be produced in court by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, unless the authorities provide a valid reason for their detention.
Earlier on Tuesday, the High Court heard testimonies from some of the abductees' parents and lawyers, led by Felix Keiton. The lawyers accused IG Kanja and other state officers of openly violating human rights.
Gerald Mwangi, the father of Billy, broke down in court asking about the whereabouts of his son who was abducted on Saturday, December 21.
“The four men mishandled son and threw him in the car. I have no idea where he is, his phone went off immediately and we haven’t reached him since,” a teary Mr Mwangi told the court in Nairobi.
“I have come all the way from Embu expecting to see my son in court but he is not here. My wife has collapsed so many times of high blood pressure since our son disappeared. I can’t see my son… I thought he was here! I just pray I do not die of high blood pressure. Where is my son? Where have they taken him?”
Billy Mwangi's father, Gerald Mwangi Karicha, breaks down in court as he tearfully pleads for his release.#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/zvfiu4ozAb — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) December 31, 2024
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya's Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa were also present in court to support the embattled Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who was arrested on Monday alongside tens of other protestors during the anti-abduction demonstrations at the Nairobi CBD.
The trio collectively faulted state officers including Kanja for contempt of court after failing to honour the sermon on Tuesday.
