Billy Mwangi With his Family After Release (left) and Peter Muteti
- 191 views
22-year-old Peter Muteti and 24-year-old Billy Mwangi have been located alive following a 15-day search that captivated public attention across Kenya.
Both individuals had gone missing under mysterious circumstances, prompting widespread concern. Peter Muteti, last seen in December 2024, was discovered in a disoriented state in the Central Business District of Nairobi. He has since been reunited with his family and is on the path to recovery. Billy Mwangi, on the other hand, returned to his father's home in Majengo on January 6, where he was joyfully welcomed by his mother and relatives.
Their safe return has brought relief to their families and the broader community, who have been on edge due to the spate of recent abductions. The alarming trend of disappearances has seen other individuals, including Rony Kiplagat—brother of cartoonist Kibet Bull—and Benard Kavuli, re-emerge under similar circumstances, with Kiplagat found in Machakos and Kavuli in Kitale.
These sudden reappearances follow a period marked by heightened public anxiety and protests against the backdrop of ongoing abductions. The abduction crisis began with Peter Muteti's case, in which he was reportedly taken by four armed men in Uthiru, Nairobi. This incident, believed to be linked to controversial social media activity, drew significant attention and concern from the public.
The case of Billy Mwangi further intensified these fears after he was forcibly abducted from a barber shop, leading to protests in Embu advocating for his release. In response to these unsettling events, the National Police Service, under the leadership of Inspector General Douglas Kanja, has adamantly denied any involvement in the abductions. Facing mounting pressure from both the international community and local opposition, Kanja has asserted that no police unit is responsible for the disappearances.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abductions and there is no police station in the country that is holding reported abductees," Kanja clarified.
The timing of these individuals' return coincides with scheduled anti-abduction protests. Despite the government’s denial of involvement, these incidents reflect a disturbing trend that has left many questioning security measures in the country.