The mysterious abduction and subsequent deaths of four young men in Mlolongo have sparked national outrage, prompting prominent activist and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah to take legal action against the state.
The tragic saga, which has gripped the country since December 17, 2024, took a devastating turn when two of the missing individuals, Justus Musyimi and Martin Mwau, were found dead on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) late on Thursday night, Omtatah expressed his sorrow over the deaths, calling for immediate accountability from the security agencies.
“It is with profound sadness and heartache that I learnt of the death of Justus Musyimi and Martin Mwau, two of the Mlolongo 4 abducted on Dec 17, 2024. This evening, I met Duncan Kyalo, brother to the late Justus Musyimi, to condole with the family and stand with them through this difficult time. I stand with Kenyans to demand justice for the innocent youth who have fallen victim to these senseless killings which have followed abductions,” Omtatah wrote.
His post further called on top security officials, including those heading the National Police Service and the National Intelligence Service, to be held accountable for what he termed as heinous crimes against humanity.
“The relevant authorities, including those in charge of the National Police Service and the National Intelligence Service, must be put to task to give answers for these deplorable actions or otherwise RESIGN from public office,” the Busia senator said.
Omtatah takes the battle to court
Determined to seek justice, Omtatah announced that he would be heading to the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, January 31, 2025, to push for answers from the government.
The case is expected to challenge the state’s handling of the disappearances, with demands for accountability from top security officials.
“Tomorrow we shall be at Milimani Law Courts to continue pushing for answers from the State for these heinous crimes against humanity. Let us stand together against these abductions and murders. #EndAbductionsKE,” Omtatah’s statement continued.
A grim pattern of forced disappearances
The Mlolongo 4, Justus Mutumwa, Martin Mwau, Karani Muema and Steve Kavingo, disappeared on December 16, 2024.
The bodies of Musyimi and Mwau were discovered on Thursday as the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja appeared before Justice Chacha Mwita at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to explain the whereabouts of the Mlolongo 4.
In his submission before the court, the DCI boss said that the three missing persons were not in police custody and as such the authorities could not produce their bodies or take them to the court as required by the constitution.
Moments later after Amin’s submission in court, the bodies of Musyimi and Mwau were found.
The deaths of Musyimi and Mwau are the latest in a troubling pattern of forced disappearances in Kenya, raising serious concerns about extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Human rights organizations have long sounded the alarm over the rising number of missing persons who later turn up dead under mysterious circumstances.
According to sources close to the investigation, the whereabouts of the fourth individual abducted on the same day remain unknown. This uncertainty has fueled growing anxiety among families and the public alike.
The growing pressure from the public, human rights groups, and opposition leaders has put security agencies on the defensive.
Calls for an independent inquiry into the killings have intensified, with citizens demanding concrete action against those responsible.
Kenya’s long history of unresolved enforced disappearances continues to erode public trust in law enforcement.
Many fear that without urgent intervention, the cycle of abductions and unexplained deaths will persist, leaving families in anguish and the nation in turmoil.
As the case heads to court, all eyes will be on the judicial process to determine whether justice will finally be served for the Mlolongo victims and their grieving families.
