Kitengela Three Reveals: 32 Days Naked, Shackled, and Tortured in Secret Detention

The Kitengela Three were held in a dark room with only a dim lightbulb, allowing their every move to be recorded by CCTV.

The abduction of brothers Aslam and Jamil Longton along with activist Bob Njagi occurred amidst increased government scrutiny and crackdowns on dissent. Their subsequent release on September 20, following intense pressure from the Law Society of Kenya and human rights advocates, revealed a troubling pattern of intimidation and violence against individuals advocating for political change. The brothers describe being transported under suffocating conditions and then held in a secret location where they were shackled, stripped naked, and subjected to relentless abuse. The psychological torment was compounded by physical violence, with Aslam reporting beatings and being denied the right to pray.

Jamil Longton reveals that the room was like an office partitioned with boards that were painted black. The brothers experienced severe disorientation due to the lack of time cues and were provided with minimal food under deplorable sanitary conditions. Their separation after two days further intensified their mental anguish. Despite the brutal treatment, Aslam maintains that he had merely sought to express himself as a Kenyan citizen, echoing the sentiments of many activists who face persecution for exercising their constitutional rights. The Kitengela Three case has drawn significant attention to Kenya's broader human rights situation, prompting urgent calls for legal reforms to protect citizens against unlawful detention and violence.

The brothers' release coincided with the impending six-month jail sentence for Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli for ignoring court orders to account for the abducted men's whereabouts. Despite the overall traumatic experience, Aslam and Jamil note that not all their captors were cruel. They mention that some officers treated them humanely. They narrate that their release was as sudden and disorienting as their capture having been blindfolded, placed in a vehicle, and eventually set free with minimal funds to return home.