Kanja stated that upon receiving reports from Athi River and Mlolongo police stations regarding the missing individuals, he directed the DCI to conduct investigations. He maintained that the three men, Kalani Muema, Justus Mutumwa alias Sugura, and Martin Mwau alias Mzungu, were not in police custody, contrary to claims by petitioners. “I want to confirm before this court that we have none of the subjects in our custody,” Kanja told Justice Mwita
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin finally honoured court summons and exonerated themselves from any blame over the disappearance of three individuals from Mlolongo and Athi River.
Appearing before Justice Chacha Mwita after failing to comply with four previous summonses, Kanja and Amin distanced themselves from allegations regarding the abductions. They assured the court that investigations into the matter were at an advanced stage.
Kanja stated that upon receiving reports from Athi River and Mlolongo police stations regarding the missing individuals, he directed the DCI to conduct investigations. He maintained that the three men, Kalani Muema, Justus Mutumwa alias Sugura, and Martin Mwau alias Mzungu, were not in police custody, contrary to claims by petitioners. “I want to confirm before this court that we have none of the subjects in our custody,” Kanja told Justice Mwita.
He further explained that leading investigator Paul Wachira, an Assistant Inspector General, was present in court to provide an update on the investigations. Kanja reiterated his commitment to upholding the law, stating, “I am a law-abiding citizen who respects court orders at all times.”
He confirmed that official reports of the missing persons were recorded at Athi River Police Station under OB No. 23/21/12/24 and Mlolongo Police Station under OB No. 43/25/12/2024.
He also reassured the public of the government’s commitment to maintaining national security, emphasizing that the country had just experienced a peaceful festive season.
DCI boss Mohamed Amin also distanced his office from the alleged abductions, stating, “The missing persons are not under the custody of the National Police Service. We have not arrested them, and they are not in our custody. We cannot present bodies nor formally prefer any charges against them because they are not in our hands.”
When questioned by lawyers Nyawa Malidzo and Polycarp Okello about the slow progress of the investigation, Amin cited the complexity of the case and declined to provide a timeline.
Amin directed his deputy, Wachira, to expedite the probe. Wachira informed the court that the names of the missing persons had been circulated to all police stations nationwide. Two inquiry files had also been opened to facilitate a thorough investigation based on reports from the victims’ families.
The court heard that DCI detectives had visited the alleged abduction sites, interrogated witnesses, and recorded statements. Additionally, investigators had obtained court orders compelling mobile service providers to supply communication data of the missing persons and sought assistance from financial institutions to trace their whereabouts.
