A disturbing video has emerged, appearing to show a Kenyan being abducted by uniformed police officers and handed over to plainclothes operatives in an unmarked Subaru during the June 25 protests.
The footage has sparked outrage and renewed fears over the existence of covert police units accused of targeting government critics and activists.
Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Deploying Killer Squads
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive allegations that President William Ruto’s administration has deployed specialized police killer squads to track investigative journalists and silence critics.
Gachagua claims a rogue police unit code-named ‘Nairobi Sierra’ was responsible for the attack and has been operating with impunity.
According to Gachagua, the squad was first deployed in January when 12 officers allegedly attacked his team at the Witima ACK Church in Othaya. Instead of facing prosecution, the officers were reportedly promoted and assigned new duties to coordinate attacks against individuals perceived as opposing the government. The team has now allegedly grown to 15 members and was briefed at the Mathira MP’s home ahead of the June 25 protests.
“In January this year, a killer squad of 12 rogue police officers under the code name ‘Nairobi Sierra’ arrived at the home of the Mathira Member of Parliament. They were hosted to a kingly breakfast and briefing by his wife,” Gachagua alleged.
The former Deputy President further claimed his life is in danger, alleging that the squad has been instructed to target him at his Wamunyoro home. “Since I was targeted for assassination then by this killer squad in church, I am apprehensive; probably Mr Kipchumba Murkomen and DIG Lagat have instructed them to proceed to Wamunyoro and complete the job they failed to do in January,” Gachagua stated.
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Davis Lichuma Found Alive After Brutal Torture
Activist Davis Lichuma has been found alive after allegedly being abducted, brutally tortured, and abandoned at Kenyatta National Hospital. According to the Social Justice Centres Working Group, Lichuma was discovered in critical condition and later transferred to Nairobi Women’s Hospital for specialized treatment.
Lichuma was among seven activists reportedly arrested near Parliament during the June 25 protests. The group was taken to an undisclosed location where they were beaten and tortured. Six of the activists were abandoned along Lang’ata Road on Saturday morning, but Lichuma remained unaccounted for until he was found at KNH.
Those rescued alleged that police officers were responsible for their ordeal. Chatting briefly from his hospital bed, Lichuma was unable to explain where he had been held since his disappearance .
The Social Justice Centres Working Group has demanded an immediate independent investigation. “We will not accept silence, cover-ups or excuses. An injury to one is an injury to all. The Kenyan public deserves answers: Who took Davis? Where was he held? Who ordered his torture? Why was he abandoned and left for dead?” the group said in a statement .
Abduction of Michael Oloo and Abdulaziz Molu Duba
Separate incidents have intensified public anger over the alleged abduction of two other Kenyans.
Michael Oloo was abducted in Mathare seven days ago by suspected DCI officers. His whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not been presented in court [citation:user].
Abdulaziz Molu Duba, popularly known as Zizo, was abducted in Juja also a week ago. His family claims he was picked up by men who identified themselves as police officers . Residents have taken to the streets in Kiamaiko to demand his release, with protests turning violent and leaving one person dead .
“I sell meat here in Kiamaiko. They were intercepted by two vehicles. The men were armed with AK-47 rifles. They asked, ‘Who is Badi?’ and then they took him away,” said his brother Ramadhan Ndumba Mulu .
Six days after his disappearance, Abdulaziz has not been presented in court. “Today is the sixth day. He has not been taken to court, and we don’t know where he is. The government should tell us where he is,” Ndumba added .
The Pattern of Alleged Abductions
The cases of Lichuma, Oloo, and Duba are part of a troubling pattern that human rights organizations have been documenting since the 2024 anti-government protests. A report from United Nations Special Rapporteurs expressed serious concern over allegations of enforced disappearances and abductions during protests, particularly the arrests and arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and the targeting of journalists .
In response, the National Police Service confirmed receiving a missing person’s report concerning Lichuma. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the Service takes allegations of enforced disappearances and torture seriously and remains committed to accountability and transparency .
“The National Police Service remains fully dedicated to professional policing that serves and protects all Kenyans, residents and visitors. We uphold the constitutional rights of every person and strictly follow all legal procedures in our operations,” the statement said .
Calls for Justice
Human rights activists and civil society organizations have condemned the alleged abductions and torture, demanding that those responsible be identified and prosecuted. Activist Boniface Mwangi described the incidents as evidence of the return of abductions.
Lawyer Willis Otieno called the reported ordeal “heartbreaking, deeply disturbing, and utterly inhumane,” saying no Kenyan should suffer violence or torture for exercising constitutional rights. “Violence and torture have no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law,” Otieno said.
The case has intensified public concern over recent allegations of enforced disappearances and human rights violations in the country, with many demanding answers on who is behind the abductions and why the victims continue to disappear without being presented in court.
Here is the video of the abduction of a Kenyan by a killer squad police unit
https://twitter.com/citynews254/status/2071965034264011206/video/1
