Four young Kenyans who had been abducted in December 2024 were reunited with their families on Monday, bringing relief to their loved ones. Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Rony Kiplangat had been missing for several weeks, but they were all located and returned home safely.
Mwangi, who was taken from outside a barber shop in Embu on December 21, was found and reunited with his family in Majengo, Embu. His mother, who had been hospitalized due to the emotional distress caused by his disappearance, is now with him at home. Muteti, also abducted on December 21 from his apartment in Nairobi, was found disoriented and unable to speak about his ordeal. His family confirmed he is now recovering at home.
Kavuli and Kiplangat were dropped off in Nyeri, together with other abductees, and received small amounts of money. Their families confirmed their safe return. However, a relative of Billy Mwangi revealed that they were all threatened not to speak about their abductions or continue their activism, with the threat of re-abduction hanging over them.
Despite their safe return, the whereabouts of cartoonist Kibet Bull remain unknown. The family has only heard from Kiplangat, who had gone missing before Kibet. Another individual, Steve Mbisi, is also still unaccounted for. These young men, along with others such as Gideon Kibet, Steve Kivango, and Kelvin Muthoni, were reportedly abducted following social media posts criticizing President William Ruto and his government.
The timing of their release coincides with planned protests in Nairobi and other towns, where demonstrators are demanding the release of all those who have been abducted. The protests targeted key roads, including Thika Road and Mombasa Road, with citizens voicing their concerns about the increasing number of abductions under the current administration.
This wave of abductions has sparked widespread anger, with many people questioning the involvement of the police. While the police have denied any involvement, human rights groups continue to call for investigations into the disappearances. The Law Society of Kenya has also criticized the lack of action, urging the police to either investigate and prosecute those responsible or resign.
In response to the rising tensions, President William Ruto recently promised to put an end to the abductions. He vowed that the youth would be allowed to live peacefully and that the government would take steps to ensure their safety. However, the situation remains tense, as many individuals, including well-known activists and critics of the government, continue to go missing.
