Stage self-abductions at your own risk, CS Murkomen warns Kenyans
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised alarm over what he termed a growing trend of “self-abductions” among political leaders.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised alarm over what he termed a growing trend of “self-abductions” among political leaders.
The CS warned that the practice is undermining efforts to address genuine cases of enforced disappearances that continue to be reported across the country.
Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, Murkomen said authorities have so far identified at least three incidents where prominent individuals allegedly staged their own disappearances, only to later resurface unharmed.
He cautioned that such actions not only mislead the public but also erode trust in ongoing investigations into real abduction cases.
The CS’s remarks come even as he revealed that 206 Kenyans remain unaccounted for since 2022, in cases linked to suspected enforced disappearances and abductions.
The figures paint a grim picture of a persistent security challenge, even as the government steps up efforts to address the crisis.
“There are cases where it was established that the individuals had voluntarily gone into hiding and were not abducted,” Murkomen told senators.
According to the CS, the Coast region accounts for the highest number of missing persons at 60, followed by Eastern (35), Nairobi (31) and Rift Valley (19).
He added that 48 individuals reported missing during the same period were later found dead, while 146 were traced alive.
Why Karua and Matiang’i skipped opposition rallies in the Coast; Gachagua
I am not interested in becoming the Mt Kenya kingpin; Gachagua
Oburu Odinga was not part of the group that sold ODM at the beginning – Orengo
Court of Appeal declares abortion is not a fundamental right
Murkomen said investigations into such cases often face setbacks, particularly when individuals who resurface decline to cooperate with authorities.
“In some instances, individuals who reappear after alleged abductions refuse to record statements, limiting the ability of investigators to conclusively determine what happened,” he said.
To strengthen the response to abductions, the government has rolled out several measures.
These include the establishment of a specialised anti-abduction unit within the DCI to handle such cases with greater expertise, and the introduction of enhanced reporting mechanisms such as a toll-free hotline — 0800 722 203 (Fichua Kwa DCI) — to encourage confidential public reporting.
Murkomen also cited efforts to bolster investigations and prosecutions, as well as the revitalisation of community policing initiatives aimed at improving collaboration between law enforcement and the public.
Postmortem results reveal how Nairobi Lawyer Tom Ouya Imbukwa was murdered
Mohammed Ali to vie for Mombasa governorship on Wiper ticket
Benjamin Netanyahu treated for early-stage prostate cancer
‘You can be party leader of the birds!’ Oburu tells off Orengo over ODM leadership
Follow us
