Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that 18 people are still missing following a wave of abductions that gripped the country earlier this year. Speaking before senators, Murkomen said the government mounted a multi-agency response that successfully curbed the worrying trend, which had sparked widespread fear and outrage.
At the heart of the government’s strategy was the formation of a specialised Anti-Abductions Investigations Unit within the National Police Service. The new unit is tasked with handling kidnapping and enforced disappearance cases exclusively, ensuring swift investigations and coordination with other security agencies.
“The government enhanced reporting mechanisms through a toll-free hotline, allowing the public to report criminal activities anonymously. This ensured confidentiality and encouraged information sharing,” Murkomen told the Senate.
According to data presented by the CS, 50 people were reported missing after being abducted by unknown individuals. Of these, 24 were later found alive, eight were discovered dead, and 18 remain unaccounted for. However, some of the figures appeared outdated, as they still included five chiefs from Mandera who have since been found.
The abductions, some captured on CCTV, had shown victims being seized in broad daylight by individuals believed to be security agents. This fueled speculation that state officers were behind some of the disappearances, with rights groups accusing the government of targeting critics.
Murkomen emphasized that “no stone will be left unturned” in the quest to identify and punish those responsible. He added that the Internal Affairs Unit within the police service has investigated several cases involving officers suspected of abetting the kidnappings.
The revelations mark the first time the government has publicly detailed its efforts to tackle enforced disappearances — a move that may offer some relief to victims’ families still searching for answers.
