Maina Njenga’s abductors drove Subarus, were armed and hooded - Azimio
The Azimio la Umoja coalition has spoken
out about the alleged abduction of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga on
Saturday night.
Njenga, who is a close associate of the
coalition’s leaders Raila Odinga and Martha Karua, is said to have been
abducted at 11:10 pm in Ndederu area, Kiambu County, according to his lawyer
Ndegwa Njiru.
Through a statement issued on Sunday afternoon,
Azimio claimed the former Mungiki leader was abducted in a “gang-style” by
people suspected to be rogue police officers.
“The information we have suggests that
the abductors did not identify themselves, nor did they state that he was under
arrest. All indications point to this being an operation carried out by rogue
police,” read the statement.
“The abductors were driving Subarus,
armed, and hooded. It is highly likely that they were part of the Special Support Unit, known for terrorizing Kenyans during the anti-tax protests.”
Azimio said Njenga’s family was
being kept in the dark regarding his whereabouts. The opposition coalition
termed the purported abduction a deliberate attempt by the government to silence
opposition figures and distract Kenyans from pressing issues such as the rising
cost of fuel and food.
“Kenyans need to understand that Maina is
scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for a pre-trial, and this arrest is
clearly an attempt to interfere with that scheduled pre-trial,” said Azimio.
“We vehemently condemn the abduction and
continued persecution of Mr. Maina and his family. We demand his immediate and
unconditional release or his production in court,” added the coalition, noting
that they would hold the Inspector General of Police accountable for Njenga's
life should anything happen to him.
Earlier on Sunday, Njenga’s lawyer told Citizen Digital that
Njenga’s car was blocked by a vehicle with a Sudanese number plate, after which
the unknown people dragged, put him in the vehicle and whisked him away alongside
his aide Felix Lakishe.
Njiru added that the alleged abductors did not introduce themselves
when they fled away with Njenga and Lakishe.
"We are scheduled to appear before Makadara Court for a
mention on the weapons case tomorrow(Monday). We do not know why they are abducting
him. They are looking for a reason to arrest him when he does not appear in
court," Njiru said.
Njenga had earlier been arrested on July 19. The prosecution
said that during their arrest, Njenga, his aide and brother were found in
possession of 14 machetes, 24 Maasai swords, 46 rungus, and three jembe sticks.
He appeared before Makadara Law Courts on July 25 and was released
on a Ksh.100,000 bail.
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