Protests In Embu Town As Residents Demand Billy Mwangi's Release
He was allegedly abducted from a barber shop in Embu by four masked men in a double-cabin pickup.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Protests broke out in Embu town on Friday, December 27, with residents demanding the release of Billy Mwangi, a young man who was kidnapped by unknown assailants, believed to be police officers, in Embu last week.
According to photos and videos seen by Viral Tea, residents lit fires in Embu town and blocked roads within the area. Some businesses have even been reported to have closed down as the protests continued.
The residents could be seen holding up placards, one of them saying "No peace without Billy Mwangi", demanding the release of the 24-year-old who has been missing for six days now.
He was allegedly abducted from a barber shop in Embu by four masked men in a double-cabin pickup. Witnesses described the men as armed but could not confirm their identities.
Photo of Billy Mwangi who was abducted in Embu. /BONIFACE MWANGI.FACEBOOK
Since Saturday the family has conducted searches across the county with no success, stating that they are still in the dark over what could have led to his abduction with reports indicating that a post he made on X with an AI-generated picture which depicted President William Ruto in bad light could have been the reason why he was a target of abduction.
Mwangi is among seven youths who have been abducted this month after making controversial social media posts targeted towards President Ruto and his government. Others include social media users Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplang’at and Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull, bringing the total number of abductions since June to 82.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) revealed that out of the reported cases, 29 people are still missing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and National Police Service (NPS) have denied involvement in the abductions, raising questions as to who is carrying out the abductions.
NARC-Kenya party leader, Martha Karua, had on Monday, December 23 accused President Ruto of spearheading the abductions that have rocked the country in the past six months, sensationally claiming that Ruto is running a covert "killer gang" made up of foreigners and select Kenyans drawn from the military and operating outside the boundaries of the NPS.
In an interview with Citizen TV, Karua added that only the Head of State could lead such an operation. While pointing fingers directly at him, she claimed that it was only Ruto who knew the real identities of the abductors.
"I believe that William Ruto is behind the abductions because you cannot mention the state and fail to mention who is at the helm," Karua stated, adding "The squad operates outside the police force. Their command is independent, and only Ruto can tell us who these people are. No wonder they don't introduce themselves when abducting citizens."
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced that it was considering legal action after cases of abduction surged across the country this festive season. In a 3-page statement from LSK President Faith Odhiambo, the legal body asked families and friends of the missing individuals to provide accurate information that will aid in their preparation for the legal action.
Further, LSK stated that once collected, the data will assist in its implementation of a three-pronged plan that would enable the body to take the necessary steps against the abductors, which includes:
- Document the circumstances surrounding each case of abduction and disappearance.
- Initiate appropriate legal proceedings where rights violations have occurred.
- Facilitate advocacy at both national and international forums to hold perpetrators accountable.”
