College Student Billy Mwangi Recounts His Abduction Ordeal: “I Thank God I’m Alive”

EMBU, Kenya – Billy Munyiri Mwangi, a college student from Embu, has broken his silence about the harrowing 15-day he spent in captivity after being abducted in December 2024.

Speaking for the first time since his release, Mwangi expressed profound gratitude for surviving the traumatic experience.

“I thank God I’m alive,” Mwangi said during an interview with Sarah Mwangi in Embu on Tuesday.

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He detailed his abduction, which occurred on December 21 while he was waiting for a haircut in Embu town.

Four hooded men believed to be government security agents, forcibly took him in a white double-cabin pickup truck.

“I was captured and dragged into the vehicle. We drove for several kilometres, but I was so terrified I couldn’t tell which direction we took from Embu,” he recounted.

Upon arrival at an unknown location, Mwangi was thrown into a dark room, where he was subjected to physical abuse and mental torture.

“It will take time for me to fully recover and recollect what happened. Right now, I still feel mentally disturbed, confused, and unable to remember everything,” the 23-year-old said.

Despite the suffering, Mwangi has chosen forgiveness.

“I don’t hold a grudge against them. To err is human, and I’ve left them in God’s hands,” he stated.

Mwangi’s release came after he was dropped off in Nyeri, from where he returned to Embu by matatu, reuniting with his family on Monday.

The reunion brought an end to weeks of anguish for his parents, who had feared the worst during his disappearance.

The case sparked a wave of concern over rising abductions in the country.

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji condemned the incident, alleging that Mwangi was subjected to severe physical torture during his captivity.

“Preliminary reports indicate the young man is seriously traumatised. He was locked up in a dark room, whipped, and given little food,” Mukunji said.

Mukunji urged for legislative amendments to enhance the safety of Kenyan citizens.

“Let Billy be the last person to endure such an ordeal. Let his parents be the last to suffer this kind of agony,” he implored.

Mwangi’s ordeal is part of a disturbing pattern of abductions that have gripped the nation.

On the same day, Peter Muteti, Benard Kavuli, Kibet Bull, and his brother Rony Kibet were also found alive after being missing for days, following pressure from social media users, leaders, and activists.