Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja now says he will honour court summons regarding the mysterious disappearance of three men, who were reportedly abducted by suspected government agents in December.
Justus Mutumwa, Martin Mwau, and Karani Muema, who have now been dubbed the ‘Mlolongo Three,’ were reportedly abducted in Mlolongo, Machakos County, alongside one Stephen Mbisi Kavingu, on December 16 and 17, 2024.
Their whereabouts remain unknown nearly five weeks after their disappearance, with police refuting reports suggesting their involvement in the incident.
Kanja, who has in the span of days ignored three summons by two different judges on the same alongside DCI boss Amin Mohammed, made the announcement in Diani, Kwale County on Tuesday, indicating that he will personally avail himself before the court.
“Hakuna shida yoyote na wakati huo wa kufika kortini, mimi nitafika binafsi na tutakuwa na nyinyi pale na nitasema hiyo maneno vile nimesema hapa,” Kanja told journalists without explaining when he plans to honour the summons.
(NPS) is actively investigating all reported cases of abductions
The IG also stated that the National Police Service (NPS) is actively investigating all reported cases of abductions involving Kenyan citizens, emphasizing that the perpetrators of these crimes, whom he referred to as criminals, will be held accountable and brought to justice upon completion of the probes.
“Investigations ziko at advanced levels in all reported cases of missing persons. Mimi mwenyewe nimepeana maagizo ya kwamba those investigations nataka zifanywe na zifanywe vizuri na ziweze kumalizika,” he said.
“Jambazi yeyote ambaye anahusika na hiyo mambo akamatwe na apelekwe kortini, ashugulikiwe kwa mujibu wa sheria. Hapo ndio sisi tuko na wakati tutafika wale tutakuwa tumeshika tutawajulisha.”
NPS working on digitizing its services
He also noted that the NPS is working on digitizing its services including the rolling out of a digital occurrence book (OB) to enable Kenyans to report cases using their smartphones.
According to Kanja, the digitization of these services will help curb corruption and improve service delivery.
Kanja also assured the public that the investigations were being handled thoroughly and that anyone involved in the cases would be apprehended and taken to court per the law.
“Any criminal involved in these matters will be arrested and taken to court to be dealt with according to the law because our country has laws. That is where we are, and when we get to court, those we have arrested will be informed to you. We want to assure you that we are doing everything possible in these serious investigations,” he said.
His remarks come amidst growing public pressure for accountability in both the legal process and ongoing probes.
Summons by High Court Judge
Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin failed to honour a summons by High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye to appear in court on January 8 regarding the abduction of six anti-government activists.
During the proceedings, Justice Mwamuye adjourned the case and granted Kanja’s lawyer, Paul Nyamondi, 20 minutes to confirm if the IG could attend court that day.
However, Nyamondi reported that Kanja was unreachable and that his office had indicated he was attending a security meeting outside Nairobi.
Justice Mwamuye criticised Kanja’s absence, stating that the issue of abductions should have taken precedence as it is a matter of great concern to many Kenyans.
Nyamondi requested 14 days to allow the DCI to record statements from five individuals who had been abducted and subsequently released, arguing that their accounts could provide crucial information to aid investigations.
However, Senior Counsel Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Senator Okiya Omtatah opposed the delay, urging the court to prioritise the matter, given the serious threat it poses to lives.
