IG Kanja vows to honour court summons in Mlolongo three abduction case

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.

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.”

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.