Activist Bob Njagi breaks silence after 32-day abduction ordeal

In an emotional press conference held in Kitengela alongside fellow activists, Njagi recounted the terrifying experience he endured, which he attributes to his role in recent anti-government protests.

Njagi detailed how he was seized on August 19 while travelling in a matatu in Mlolongo. Four masked men approached him, accusing him of carrying a gun. 

They dragged him out of the vehicle and forced him into a white car. 

“They tortured me and drove to an unknown location where I was transferred to another car,” Njagi said. He was eventually confined to a dark room measuring approximately 6 by 4 feet, where he spent 32 days isolated from human contact.

Njagi described the grim conditions of his captivity, stating he was denied food for the first two days and was fed only twice a week thereafter. 

His abductors allowed him to shower just once a week, leaving him in a constant state of physical and emotional despair. 

Despite the ordeal, Njagi has chosen to forgive his captors, but he remains determined to hold the government accountable. 

He announced plans to sue the state, not only for violating his rights but also to put an end to the rising cases of abductions across the country.

“The government must compensate families who have lost their loved ones in these unlawful disappearances,” Njagi urged.

His abduction was part of a broader wave of disappearances connected to anti-government protests in Kitengela. 

On the same day, two brothers, Jamil and Aslam Longton, were also abducted by masked men in a Subaru. 

The brothers, like Njagi, were vocal opponents of government policies and had been organizing protests. 

After weeks of anxiety and unanswered questions, the Longton brothers were found alive in Gachie, Kiambu County, following widespread public outcry and prayers.

Jamil and Aslam were dumped in a forested area, where they sought refuge at a nearby home to charge their phones and contact their family. They too spoke of the traumatic conditions they were subjected to during their captivity

. The families of both Njagi and the Longton brothers have expressed relief at their return, but concern remains about the safety of activists in Kenya.

The National Police Service, however, has denied any involvement in the disappearances. 

Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja maintained that the police had no knowledge of the whereabouts of Njagi and the Longton brothers during their captivity.

As the country grapples with increasing cases of abductions tied to protests, activists are calling for more transparency and accountability from the government. 

Njagi’s case is expected to reignite discussions on human rights and the role of law enforcement in handling dissent.

For now, Njagi, though physically and emotionally shaken, is back with his family and continues to fight for justice not only for himself but for all those affected by similar atrocities.