He was a political science student at a university in the city.
The family has ceased their search for the young man after receiving threats from unknown callers. The disturbing calls began in late June, shortly after it became clear he was missing, and despite searching through police stations, hospitals, and mortuaries, they found no trace of him.
“I posted about his disappearance on social media, and immediately the calls started. My sick mother received strange calls warning her to stop making ‘inflammatory statements’ about the government or there would be more sorrow,” he shared.
Others, including BM, WA, MWA, and RNH—who asked to remain anonymous as they are still searching for their missing relatives—say they have faced harassment and death threats from the police.
“My sister, a fashion student in Nairobi, has been missing since July. I strongly suspect she is dead, and I believe her body may be in Kware, where police may have killed her,” BM alleged.
The stories shared with 254 reveal the deep pain and frustration of families enduring the disappearance of their loved ones. Some claim that security forces are actively suppressing the voices of those seeking answers about the fate of the missing.
Otsieno Namwaya, the director of Human Rights Watch, told 254 that the number of missing persons could be in the hundreds. He explained that his organization is investigating cases of forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings.
“We estimate that at least 132 people—or possibly more—are still missing following the protests. The state is using security agencies to silence the families from coming forward,” Namwaya said. “Once a family member comes forward to search for a missing loved one, the security agents target the entire family with threats, surveillance, and other aggressive tactics to keep them silent.”
