Ex-CJ Willy Mutunga Warns That 'Kenyans Are Not Safe From Abductions'
The CJ Emeritus called on all Kenyans to be vigilant, noting that it has reached a point where anyone can be directly or indirectly targeted for the abductions.
Marvin Chege 
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on Sunday, January 26 revealed that the spate of abductions in Kenya was far from over, warning that more Kenyans could be targeted for their criticism against the government.
Mutunga was speaking during a briefing at the Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) offices in Mombasa, where he serves as board chairman, outlining the importance of the public raising alarm regarding the ever-increasing abductions, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances, among other atrocities by the government.
The CJ Emeritus called on all Kenyans to be vigilant, noting that it has reached a point where anyone can be directly or indirectly targeted for the abductions.
"If any Kenyan thinks that they are safe, think again. No one is safe, you don’t know when you’ll be abducted, and even if you’re not abducted, what about your relatives or comrades and so forth?" he posed.
Former CJ Willy Mutunga (in white) addressing the media alongside MUHURI board members on January 26, 2024. /MUSLIMS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Echoing his sentiments was MUHURI board member Maina Kiai, who condemned the state’s actions, calling for accountability and resistance against rising authoritarianism. Kiai decried the state’s violent suppression of protests and its apparent attempt to revive a culture of fear reminiscent of the Moi era.
“Even though we agreed that nobody is safe, we must not be intimidated, we must not fear but must resist and do all that we can to challenge those who want to bring back fear. No one is safe, but we shall win because we are more determined,” he said.
He further expressed concern that two years into the Kenya Kwanza regime, one is utterly frustrated and disappointed that a regime can be so callous, cruel, and bitter with its people when called to be accountable.
“When young people go and demonstrate, whether you like it, agree with it or not, the right to protest is a right. We do not have to agree with what they are protesting about,” he continued.
The abductions in Kenya have sparked widespread condemnation, and the reported disappearance of more than 80 government critics over the last six months has caused a huge public backlash in the country.
The police and government have denied kidnapping and illegally detaining protesters, but the country has a history of state-sponsored abductions, and some Kenyans fear they are returning to that dark past.
The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin were ordered to produce in court six social media influencers who disappeared in December 2024, but five of them suddenly reappeared in January 2025 at various locations across the country.
A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed that 83 young individuals were recently abducted, with 26 still missing - deepening concerns over the erosion of human rights and the rule of law in Kenya.
Collage of previously abducted Kenyans Ronny Kiplangat, Gideon Kibet, Billy Mwangi and Peter Muteti. /VIRAL TEA KE
