Court application filed demanding IG, DCI, and DPP account for 7 abducted victims

The victims listed in the Habeas Corpus application include Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Benard Kavuli and Kelvin Muthoni.

Failure to release or produce the seven victims, Omtatatah wants the court to summon the police IG, DCI and DPP to explain why the said persons cannot be released on bail.

"That I have received information from the families that they have visited a number of morgues in Nairobi and Kiambu and they have not been able to see their bodies," reads the court document in part.

The recent surge in abductions—over 10 reported in December alone and more than 80 cases this year, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)—has sparked nationwide outrage with human rights groups staging protests on Monday.

Despite government denials, human rights groups, victims, and youth activists called on Kenyans to join the protests in all 47 counties. Demonstrators demanded the immediate release of individuals allegedly abducted by security agents and an end to unlawful arrests.

On Monday several activists led by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah were arrested for participating in Monday’s protests against the rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances of government critics.

Police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the protesters who were gathering in the Nairobi CBD.