NAIROBI, Kenya- Human rights activists, families of missing persons, and community leaders have given the government a 24-hour ultimatum to produce Mathare-based activist Davis Lichuma, warning that failure to do so will trigger fresh street demonstrations on Tuesday over what they describe as a growing wave of enforced disappearances.
The demands were made during a press briefing at the Mathare Ghetto Foundation, where rights defenders condemned what they termed an alarming pattern of abductions targeting activists in the informal settlement following the June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests.
Lichuma, a member of the Mathare Social Justice Centre, reportedly disappeared on June 25 after participating in commemorative demonstrations marking the anniversary of the anti-Finance Bill protests.
His mother, Margaret Lichuma, said her son had visited home a day before the demonstrations and asked her to pray for him, acknowledging the risks associated with joining the protests.
“On June 25 I was told Lichuma had been arrested. Yesterday I was told to go and file a report at Pangani,” she said.
She added that other people reportedly arrested alongside her son had since been released, intensifying fears over his whereabouts. Margaret also revealed that Lichuma had a pre-existing stab wound to his abdomen, raising concerns about his health and whether he was receiving medical attention.
The briefing highlighted at least three other reported disappearances in the area.
One of them, Maximilian, popularly known as Maxy, reportedly disappeared on June 20 after neighbours alleged that CCTV footage captured a vehicle without number plates picking him up outside his home as he prepared to leave for work.
His mother told journalists she had spoken to him shortly before communication was lost.
“It has been eight days. We want our children back,” she said.
Another missing man, identified only as Zizo, was reportedly abducted on June 23 by men travelling in a double-cab pickup near a parcel of land he had recently purchased.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid alleged that the reported disappearances pointed to state involvement.
“We know Davis Lichuma has been a member of the Social Justice Centre. He was taken in clear violation of his rights. We know those who took them are police,” Khalid said.
He argued that security agencies must operate within the Constitution and the law, warning against impunity.
The press conference also heard testimony from Salim, a mobile phone repair technician and aspiring Member of County Assembly in Kiamaiko, who alleged he was abducted by armed men who confiscated five mobile phones and demanded money for his release.
“They told me: even if you don’t have a mistake, we can get one. They also told me today you can have a date with City Mortuary,” he claimed, adding that he negotiated the demanded amount from Sh100,000 to Sh60,000 before being released.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, who attended the briefing, criticised the government over the reported disappearances, saying respect for the Constitution and the rule of law had deteriorated.
“We have a government that does not listen to its people, does not respect the Constitution, and does not respect the law. Why should police hide their faces? Why conceal their identity?” Maraga posed.
He also rejected compensation as an adequate response to deaths and disappearances linked to last year’s protests.
“The death of over 120 people and abductions will not go without protest. Compensation will not help. We want our children,” he said.
Community organiser Olal claimed enforced disappearances in Mathare had increased in recent weeks, alleging that at least four people had gone missing within the past month.
“Mathare must be a safe space for everyone. We are not at peace. We are giving the police and the government 24 hours to produce Lichuma. Failure to which, this country will not be governable,” he warned.