Reports have emerged that politician Joel Kariuki Mwai was abducted by unidentified men claiming to be police officers in Nairobi’s Mathare area on Thursday, June 18.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Human Rights advocates VOCAL Africa say the 45-year-old was walking home from his shop at around 1:30pm when he was confronted by several men.

“He was walking from his shop in Mathare Number 10 towards his home when he was approached by several men dressed in civilian clothes who claimed to be police officers,” the rights group wrote.

According to witness accounts, the men allegedly identified themselves as police officers before forcibly seizing him, pushing him into a double-cab pickup.

📌 What You Need to Know

Residents who attempted to intervene were reportedly threatened after the men drew firearms before driving away with him.

Reports indicated that Mwai’s whereabouts remained unknown by early afternoon on Friday, June 19.

He has been active in the political space, most recently contesting the Mabatini Ward County Assembly seat in 2022 under the Jubilee Party.

The incident has sparked concern among human rights activists and political leaders, with VOCAL Africa Chief Executive Hussein Khalid raising alarm over the reported abduction.

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga was also among public figures who circulated details of the incident.

Rights groups are demanding answers about Mwai’s location, urging authorities to explain his disappearance.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke