Produce them dead or alive, kin of Kitengela trio plead with state

Today marks exactly one month since the disappearance of the Kitengela trio, allegedly in the hands of the police.

Kenya’s immediate former acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli was sentenced to six months for defying court summons to explain their whereabouts.

New Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja now takes charge in the thick of things. But behind the headlines and the national attention this matter has attracted are real families in anguish and pain.

The search for justice and hope that their loved ones will resurface have remained elusive dreams. Although still hopeful, the families of the missing men, said they want to know whether their sons are dead or alive. Longton Jamil (42), his brother Aslam Longton (36), and FreeKenya Movement coordinator Bob Njagi went missing on Monday, August 19, 2024, after being forcefully abducted in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

The brothers were reported to have disappeared a few metres from their home, while Njagi was allegedly pulled out of a bus at Mlolongo and bundled into a Subaru.

Ms Salwa Mohamed, wife of Longton Jamil, said they still hope to see their loved ones again. In an interview with The Standard, she pleaded with those who took her husband to produce him dead or alive.

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“We have waited for a month, and no one is telling us where our loved ones, including my husband, are, or where they were taken. I am humbly appealing to our authorities to come out clearly and tell me where my husband is,” said Salwa.

Salwa, a mother of three, also appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and rescue the three men from their abductors. “We heard our President say he is not aware of any abductions. Let him know our people have not yet been released,” she said.

The Longton family insists that Jamil, a human rights defender, was not involved in organising or participating in anti-government protests. Razak Longton, Jamil’s brother, expressed hope that their brothers will be found alive.

The FreeKenya Movement has also condemned the continued targeting and abduction of human rights defenders and activists. Secretary General Nichorus Oloo called for their immediate and unconditional release.

“This is not the first time that Comrade Bob and other human rights defenders from Kitengela have had run-ins with the police. The police, known for their heavy-handedness in dealing with protests, must respect this constitutional right,” said Oloo.

He added that the manner in which Njagi was abducted leaves one questioning what kind of country Kenya is becoming. “Bob was abducted after boarding a vehicle from Nairobi CBD after showing solidarity with businessman Jimi Wanjigi,” he said.