By S, KNA
Harrison Nyamu, who was abducted from his home in Sisi kwa Sisi area, Soweto, Changamwe Sub-County on December 24, 2024, has been found alive after nine days in captivity.
The 44-year-old was released on January 2 at around 11pm in Vipingo area, Kilifi County, from where he made his way back home to his family in Mombasa.
Speaking to journalists at his home, Nyamu recounted the traumatic experience, saying armed men with covered faces stormed his house on December 24 at around 8pm, forced everyone to the ground including his family, handcuffed him, and took him away blindfolded.
“I was taken to an unknown location where I went through a lot of hardship and torture. I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what I have gone through,” Nyamu said thanking God for returning home safely to his family.
His wife, Leah Njeri Mwangi, said the masked men assaulted her husband before dragging him out of the house without allowing him to put on proper clothing. When she attempted to follow them, she was also beaten and forced back into the house.
Distressed and fearing for her husband’s safety, Leah reported the matter at Changamwe Police Station. She expressed gratitude that her husband returned alive despite the torture and hardship he endured.
“On January 2, 2025, I thank God that my husband came back safe. Even if he underwent torture and hardship, I thank God he is back alive because that is what we were praying for,” she said.
Human rights activists have strongly condemned the incident, terming it unlawful and a gross violation of human rights.
Speaking at Nyamu’s home in Changamwe, Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid said Nyamu is a kidney patient who missed his medication and dialysis sessions during his nine-day detention.
“As you can see the condition of Harrison Nyamu, he is sick, suffering from kidney complications. He was abducted on December 24, 2024 and placed in security detention till January 2 when he was released and managed to reach home,” Khalid said.
He noted that Nyamu’s family did not celebrate Christmas or New Year as they were worried about the whereabouts of their loved one.
Khalid emphasized that security agencies must follow the law when handling suspects, adding that those involved in the abduction should be identified and prosecuted.
“We are emphasizing to the security apparatus in the country, if you have a problem with anyone, kindly follow the law so that problems such as this don’t occur. We want all those that were involved to be identified and prosecuted according to the law, so that incidents such as these never happen again,” he said.
The human rights activist said the incident proves that abduction squads are still operating in the country.
Vocal Africa Rapid Response Officer Walid Sketi called on the government to respect basic human rights when arresting individuals.
“Let the government follow the basic human rights of individuals who have been detained. We are against abductions and torture of Kenyans. Let the security apparatus follow the law and accord all the basic human rights,” Sketi said.
Leah thanked human rights organizations and civil societies for their support in ensuring that her husband was brought back home safely.
