Gerald Mwangi, the father of Billy Mwangi, one of the six victims of recent police-related abductions, sobbed in court on Tuesday, demanding to know where his son was taken on Saturday, December 21.
Billy, a 24-year-old college student, was apprehended by four hooded guys at a barbershop in Embu.
Gerald claims his kid was whisked away as he waited to be shaved and put into a waiting car by guys arriving in a station wagon and a double-cab pick-up truck.
“The four men mishandled son and threw him in the car. I have no idea where he is, his phone went off immediately and we haven’t reached him since,” a teary Mr Mwangi told the court in Nairobi.
“I have come all the way from Embu expecting to see my son in court but he is not here. My wife has collapsed so many times of high blood pressure since our son disappeared,” he added.
“I can’t see my son… I thought he was here! I just pray I do not die of high blood pressure.
Where is my son? Where have they taken him?”On Monday, the High Court issued a Habeas Corpus ruling compelling the six abductees to appear in court by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, unless the authorities demonstrate a sufficient justification for their incarceration.
The court also imposed a conservatory order, which prohibits the police and other respondents from charging or prosecuting the petitioners without the High Court’s approval.
Douglas Kanja, the Inspector-General of Police, was personally summoned to court to explain the location of the petitioners.
Kanja, the first respondent in the case, was also instructed to guarantee that the petitioners appear in court as directed.
However, Kanja did not appear in court on Tuesday, and neither did any of the victims. He instead dispatched a spokesperson.
“A Habeas Corpus is a very urgent application and it is surprising that parties would want seven more days,” Senior Counsel Martha Karua, one of the lawyers representing the victims, told the court.
Karua was referring to the additional days that the respondent requested to file their answering affidavits in the case.
“The question is simple: do you have them? If so, produce them… it is the duty of the security agents to know. Police cannot say ‘I do not now’,” said Karua.
She pleaded with the court to keep the case’s hearing at January 3, 2025, adding, “Asking for more time is literally wishing these families ill. By January 3, it will already be 10 days, what more time can we ask for?”
The court, however, ordered that the matter be heard on January 8 and that if the abductees are found, they be brought before the nearest High Court.
