Mlolongo family demands answers as businessman abducted after meeting senior police officer

The family of businessman Jimmy Mwanzia Mutava is demanding answers from the government over his whereabouts after he disappeared under mysterious circumstances on Monday night in Mlolongo, Machakos County.

CCTV footage captured armed men forcing him into a waiting vehicle moments after he had reportedly met a senior police officer in Mlolongo.

Days later, his family says they have not been told whether he was arrested or where he is being held.

According to his family, he had gone to meet a senior police officer attached to Mlolongo Police Station after receiving a phone call requesting the meeting.

"Mida kama saa kumi na moja hivi ndio tulipata simu kutoka kwa OCS Mlolongo. Mr. Mugambi alimpigia akamwambia anataka waonane na sisi tuliondoka hapa tukaelekea Mlolongo tukamkuta place inaitwa Biju, kuna joint za containers hapo, tukamkuta Mugambi hapo na Jimmy mwenye amepotea nikamwacha hapo,” explained Mutava’s uncle David Muli.

Hours later, CCTV footage captured Mutava standing outside the entertainment joint while speaking on the phone to a friend.

The friend, who remained on the line, says that was their final conversation.

Audio from the call captured a sudden commotion, with voices heard shouting before the line remained open as Mutava was allegedly dragged away.

At exactly 8:22pm, another CCTV camera recorded what appears to have been a coordinated operation.

Four men emerged from a double-cabin pickup and forcibly bundled Mutava into the vehicle. One of the men appeared to be carrying a rifle, while another was seen holding what looked like a pistol.

Additional CCTV footage reviewed by the family shows the same pickup truck parked a few metres from the entertainment joint where Mutava had reportedly met the police officer.

Earlier recordings also captured the vehicle moving through different locations within Mlolongo before the alleged abduction.

The incident was reported at Mlolongo Police Station. However, the family says no police station has confirmed holding Mutava in custody, and they have received no information about his whereabouts.

Phone data reviewed by the family allegedly shows that Mutava's mobile phone last transmitted a signal along Kamiti Road at about 11pm, nearly three hours after he was captured on CCTV being forced into the vehicle.

The businessman had reportedly lodged a complaint with police on June 10, alleging that members of his community were being attacked by unknown individuals accompanied by police officers in connection with an ongoing land dispute.

His family now fears the complaint and his disappearance could be linked, although authorities have not presented any evidence confirming such a connection.

Mutava's wife and their four children say they continue to wait anxiously for his return.

"Watoto wanamhitaji sana juu hadi sahi sijui nitawaambia aje, wanashangilia wakiskia mlango imeguzwa ‘daddy amekuja,’ wanaona nakuja pekee yangu,” said Mutava’s wife, Margaret Mutuku.

The National Police Service (NPS) is yet to issue an official statement on Mutava's disappearance.