On Wednesday, January 8, dailies highlighted increasing cases of kidnappings, putting Kenya's security authorities and criminal justice system under pressure for their failure to prevent the disappearance of government critics.
Source: UGC
1. Daily Nation
According to the newspaper, Hamisi Ibrahim, 14, left his grandmother's house and joined his friends in Kwadziwe area in Likoni.
Moments later, gunshots rang out in the neighborhood, and the boy was left lying in a pool of blood near the house.
His family is left to mourn the death of a 9th grade student at Mrima Primary School, who was shot dead by the police in mysterious circumstances.
The boy's mother, Fatuma Haji, confirmed the sad story, and said that Hamisi, the second born in a family of three children, had finished breakfast at his grandmother's house around nine o'clock before going to play with friends.
“We were inside the house when a gunshot was heard. We ran outside, and we found a mess. Police officers arrived quickly and took my child's body,” Ms. Fatuma narrated.
Struggling to hold back tears, he described Hamisi as a good-natured young man who dreamed of becoming a farmer while noting that he used to raise chickens at home.
However, the police claimed that the young man was one of a group of criminals who were robbing citizens with knives.
Confirming the incident, Likoni Sub County Police Commander, Geoffrey Ruheni said a distress call was made at Inuka Police Station at 9:18 am, saying that criminals were robbing people in Masjid Ghazal village located in Shonda area of Sub County of Likoni.
Ruheni said the soldiers sent to the scene found three armed youths robbing passers-by.
“When they were challenged, the bandits turned on them with swords which made them shoot in the air but the bandits continued to advance. For luck bad, one was killed by shooting and the others managed to escape and mix with the citizens,” he said.
Witnesses said the police who shot the young man in the head were not in uniform.
The body of the deceased was taken to the mortuary of the Central Coastal Teaching and Referral Hospital, pending an autopsy. The police added that the sword was collected from the scene and will be kept as an exhibit.
Fatuma denied claims that her son was a criminal, questioning the reason for his murder.
“Why was he killed? If he had done something wrong, they would have arrested him. But he had nothing. They have killed the love of my life. It hurts beyond words,” he complained.
He added that Hamisi is eagerly preparing to return to school this term, with only his new uniform waiting.
2. The Standard
The newspaper reported that the former vice president Rigathi Gachagua he is expected to soon end months of speculation about his political future.
Gachagua, who has been a vocal critic of the government since he was removed from power three months ago, says he is working hard to consolidate votes in the Mount Kenya region despite growing political opposition due to opposing voices accusing him of promoting tribalism.
Undeterred by the criticism, Gachagua insists that he consults widely with various stakeholders to ensure that the political direction of Mount Kenya is not driven by blind obedience to any coalition but based on a well-planned agreement.
This is happening amid reports that Gachagua has been working tirelessly with Mt Kenya counties to strengthen the political alliance in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Since his removal from office, Gachagua has been in the business of putting it right “Nyumba Mt. Kenya”, while agreeing to learn from his political mistakes.
3. Nation Today
According to the Kiswahili newspaper, one of the youths who was released on Monday, January 6, after being kidnapped for 15 days, has said that he has forgiven those who abused him.
Billy Munyiri Mwangi, a college student who was kidnapped by four men, said he has forgiven those involved.
Speaking for the first time after his release, Mwangi insisted that he has no grudge against the kidnappers despite the suffering they caused him.
In an exclusive interview after being discharged from the hospital, Mwangi thanked God for his survival.
He also thanked his parents, who fought tirelessly for his release, as well as neighbors and residents who came out in the streets of Embu to demand his unconditional freedom.
4. People Daily
According to the publication, former Agriculture Minister Richard Lesiyampe has appealed to the government for security, citing threats to his life.
Lesiyampe, who recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation at the Maralal Police Station, revealed that he has been living in fear since the attack on his car by robbers last week.
Suspected bandits opened fire on the car Lesiyampe was traveling in on the Baragoi-Barsaloi road in Samburu North sub-county, injuring the driver. The driver has been admitted at the Samburu County Referral Hospital.
Lesiyampe also referred to last year's incident where bandits invaded his home and stole livestock.
The former Member of Parliament in the Jubilee government claimed that before last week's attack, he received intelligence reports showing a plot to kill him by unknown people.
“I am here to tell the Kenyans about the plans to kill me. I have reliable information that there are people who have planned to strangle me for reasons unknown to me. The government must not only investigate the information with due seriousness, but it must also investigate the information with due seriousness. It must also go quickly to provide me with adequate security,” he told reporters in the city of Maralal.
Lesiyampe added that his family has been suffering from psychological trauma following the recent attack on his life.
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