NTSA Boss Summoned As Police Ordered To Release Abducted Six In 12 Hours

The High Court has summoned the Director-General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), George Njao to appear before it on January 3, 2025, concerning the recent abductions of six Kenyan youths.

Issuing the orders, Justice Bahati Mwamuye tasked Njao with appearing either by himself or through a designated officer and producing specific vehicle records related to the case of the abductions. 

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. 

"The Director-General of the 8th Respondent, George Njao, or a duly authorized officer so authorized in writing, shall appear before this Court on 03/01/2025 at 11:30 AM in physical/open court to produce copies of records with respect to the motor vehicles specified at Prayer 6 of the Notice of Motion Application dated 26/12/2024; and summons to that effect be and are hereby issued," the orders read in part.

The High Court at the same time ordered the immediate release of the six individuals allegedly abducted and detained by state authorities.

They 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.

"Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 26/12/2024, a mandatory order of Habeas Corpus be and is hereby issued directing the 1st Respondent (the Inspector-General of Police), the 2nd Respondent (the National Police Service), the 3rd Respondent (the Directorate of Criminal Investigations), the 4th Respondent (the National Intelligence Service), the 5th Respondent (the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration), the 6th Respondent (the Director of Public Prosecutions), the 7th Respondent (the Hon. Attorney-General), and the 9th Respondent (Douglas Kanja Kirocho), jointly and severally, to immediately and unconditionally set at liberty and/or cause and secure the liberty of the 2nd to 7th Petitioners," the court order read in part.

"...and to produce the 2nd to 7th Petitioners/Applicants at Milimani Law Courts, High Court Wing, Nairobi City County on 31/12/2024 at 11:00 AM before this Court or the Milimani High Court Criminal Duty Court, or to explain under oath the circumstances of the matter and the whereabouts of the 2nd - 7th Petitioners/Applicants in default of their production."