‘Where have they taken him?’ Billy Mwangi’s father breaks down in court over son’s abduction
Gerald Mwangi, the father of Billy Mwangi, one of the six victims of recent abductions linked to the police, broke down in court on Tuesday, asking about the whereabouts of his son who was abducted on Saturday, December 21.
Billy, a 24-year-old college student, was captured
by four hooded men at a barber shop in Embu town.
Gerald said his son was whisked away as he
awaited to be shaved and bundled into a waiting car by the men who arrived in a
station wagon and a double-cabin pick-up truck.
“The four men mishandled son and threw him
in the car. I have no idea where he is, his phone went off immediately and we
haven’t reached him since,” a teary Mr Mwangi told the court in Nairobi.
“I have come all the way from Embu
expecting to see my son in court but he is not here. My wife has collapsed so
many times of high blood pressure since our son disappeared. I can’t see my son…
I thought he was here! I just pray I do not die of high blood pressure. Where is
my son? Where have they taken him?”
On Monday, the High Court granted a Habeas Corpus order requiring that the six
abductees be produced in court by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday unless the authorities
provide a valid reason for their detention.
The court further
issued a conservatory order restraining the police and other respondents from
charging or prosecuting the petitioners without the High Court’s approval.
The Inspector-General
of Police, Douglas Kanja was personally summoned to court to explain the
whereabouts of the petitioners.
Kanja, the ninth respondent in the case, was also ordered to ensure the petitioners are
brought before the court as directed.
However, Kanja was a
no-show in court on Tuesday and none of the victims was produced in court. He instead sent a representative.
“A Habeas Corpus is a very urgent application and
it is surprising that parties would want seven more days,” Senior Counsel Martha Karua, one of the
lawyers representing the victims, told the court, referring to the additional days the respondent
sought to file their responding affidavits in the case.
“The question is simple: do you have them? If
so, produce them… it is the duty of the security agents to know. Police cannot
say ‘I do not now’,” said Karua.
She pleaded with the court to keep the case’s
hearing at January 3, 2025, adding, “Asking for more time is literally wishing
these families ill. By January 3, it will already be 10 days, what more time
can we ask for?”
The court however directed that the case be heard on January 8, noting that in the event the abductees are found, they are produced before the nearest High Court.
Want to send us a story? SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp 0743570000 or Submit on Citizen Digital or email wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a Comment