Three Kenyans Resurface After Abduction Following Anti-Government Protests

 

Three Kenyans who were abducted last month after participating in anti-government protests have been found, prompting public outrage directed at the police chief involved in their case. The men, Bob Njagi, and brothers Aslam and Jamil Longton, were discovered in Kiambu County, north of Nairobi, early Friday morning, according to Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya.

Odhiambo shared updates via X (formerly Twitter), stating that the Longton brothers were released near the Gachie border between Kiambu and Nairobi, while Njagi sought help at Tigoni Police Station. "He is alive and well," Odhiambo confirmed.

Images circulating on social media show the brothers appearing distressed after their release. In a video posted by Odhiambo, Jamil Longton expressed gratitude to those who supported them: “We’ll share more information through the president of the Law Society of Kenya.”

The three men had gone missing on August 19, reportedly abducted by individuals believed to be police officers. The brothers were taken in the afternoon after leaving their home, and Njagi was forced off a bus by masked men that night. Their disappearances occurred after nearly two months of anti-government protests, during which many demonstrators went missing.

The Law Society of Kenya filed a case against the government and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations concerning the disappearance of the three men. The issue drew national attention when acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, repeatedly ignored court summons to provide information on their whereabouts.

After failing to attend seven hearings, a judge ordered Masengeli to serve six months in prison for contempt of court, but the sentence was suspended for seven days to give him another chance to appear. On Friday, Masengeli finally showed up in court, apologized for his absence, and avoided the conviction.

Human rights groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission, believe the men’s sudden release was likely timed to help Masengeli challenge his conviction. Despite the contempt charge being dropped, the case into the men's disappearance will continue.

This incident has once again highlighted the issue of enforced disappearances in Kenya, particularly during anti-government protests. The Independent Police Oversight Authority, a civilian watchdog group, is investigating several such cases, including those from recent demonstrations.

Hussein Khalid, executive director of the human rights group Haki Africa, welcomed the safe return of the three men but stressed that the search for justice was far from over. “We must know who was holding these individuals,” he said. “We want action taken against them, and we will not relent.”