NAIROBI, Kenya – Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin faced tough questions from senators regarding a spate of mysterious disappearances that have gripped the country over the past five years.
The Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee singled out the case of Joshua Gichuki Mwangi, a man from Meru who vanished under unclear circumstances in February 2020.
Mwangi’s wife, Christine Njoki, filed a petition with the Senate, sharing the painful details of the night her husband went missing.
According to Njoki, Mwangi had rushed out to help a neighbor who requested assistance in taking his wife to the hospital. That was the last time she saw him.
Senators expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the case, which has left Njoki and her family without answers for over four years.
Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma sharply criticized law enforcement for the protracted investigation, demanding accountability for the delay.
“It’s outrageous that this family has waited since 2020 for any form of closure,” said Mumma. “Does it really take Senate intervention for such cases to move forward? What about other Kenyans who don’t have access to these platforms? We’re seeing a disturbing trend of disappearances, especially among students. Is our justice system even functioning?”
In response, DCI Amin defended his agency’s handling of the case, citing the arrest of a prime suspect who had previously been released on bond for an unrelated crime.
According to Amin, the suspect, who is now facing charges of abduction with intent to murder, had been participating in court proceedings virtually, complicating the investigation.
“Our investigation was thorough, but we encountered several challenges,” Amin stated. “The complexity of the case required careful evidence gathering to ensure a watertight prosecution.”
However, not all members of the committee were satisfied with Amin’s explanation.
Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi Mweru urged the DCI to hold all those involved accountable, not just the primary suspect.
“We need to see everyone responsible for these crimes brought to justice,” Mweru said.
The Senate Committee is expected to compile a report on Mwangi’s case and others like it, which will be presented to the full Senate for further action.
Meanwhile, the case of Mwangi’s disappearance is set to be heard at the Milimani Law Courts on November 25, 2024.
The hearing comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with a surge in abduction cases, many involving children and students.
On September 28, 2024, a Grade Five student from Komarock South Primary School went missing after attending Saturday remedial classes, while on the same day, the family of 19-year-old Kenyatta University student Jonathan Simiyu pleaded with the government to help locate their son, who disappeared without a trace.
The Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee singled out the case of Joshua Gichuki Mwangi, a man from Meru who vanished under unclear circumstances in February 2020.
Mwangi’s wife, Christine Njoki, filed a petition with the Senate, sharing the painful details of the night her husband went missing.
According to Njoki, Mwangi had rushed out to help a neighbor who requested assistance in taking his wife to the hospital. That was the last time she saw him.
Senators expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the case, which has left Njoki and her family without answers for over four years.
Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma sharply criticized law enforcement for the protracted investigation, demanding accountability for the delay.
“It’s outrageous that this family has waited since 2020 for any form of closure,” said Mumma. “Does it really take Senate intervention for such cases to move forward? What about other Kenyans who don’t have access to these platforms? We’re seeing a disturbing trend of disappearances, especially among students. Is our justice system even functioning?”
In response, DCI Amin defended his agency’s handling of the case, citing the arrest of a prime suspect who had previously been released on bond for an unrelated crime.
According to Amin, the suspect, who is now facing charges of abduction with intent to murder, had been participating in court proceedings virtually, complicating the investigation.
“Our investigation was thorough, but we encountered several challenges,” Amin stated. “The complexity of the case required careful evidence gathering to ensure a watertight prosecution.”
However, not all members of the committee were satisfied with Amin’s explanation.
Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi Mweru urged the DCI to hold all those involved accountable, not just the primary suspect.
“We need to see everyone responsible for these crimes brought to justice,” Mweru said.
The Senate Committee is expected to compile a report on Mwangi’s case and others like it, which will be presented to the full Senate for further action.
Meanwhile, the case of Mwangi’s disappearance is set to be heard at the Milimani Law Courts on November 25, 2024.
The hearing comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with a surge in abduction cases, many involving children and students.
On September 28, 2024, a Grade Five student from Komarock South Primary School went missing after attending Saturday remedial classes, while on the same day, the family of 19-year-old Kenyatta University student Jonathan Simiyu pleaded with the government to help locate their son, who disappeared without a trace.
