Human rights activist Muteti Mulinge has narrated the ordeal he says he endured for four days after being abducted during protests in Nairobi.
Mulinge was found alive in the Lukenya area of Athi River on Thursday night, where he had reportedly been dumped by his abductors. He is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the ordeal.
Speaking from his hospital bed, a visibly shaken Mulinge said his ordeal began as he left home to print documents linked to a petition during demonstrations calling for the release of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.
“Waliniumiza sana, it was a very brutal encounter,” Mulinge said.
He claimed his movements had been monitored before he was seized by unknown men.
“Hawa watu ni kama walinitrail kuanzia asubuhi nikitoka home, vile tulikuwa hapo nikienda kuprint documents za petition, walinichukua na kupotea, sikujua nilipelekwa wapi,” he said.
Mulinge alleged that he was blindfolded throughout his captivity, making it impossible for him to identify his captors.
He said he was repeatedly beaten, tortured and denied food, while his legs were allegedly burned during the ordeal.
“Sijawahi kula tangu hiyo siku, walinipiga sana, kuchoma miguu and all along I was blindfolded, sikuwa nawaona but walikuwa wananiuliza kwa nini naingilia serikali,” he recounted.
According to Mulinge, his captors also shaved his hair before abandoning him in Lukenya at night.
He said he was so weak that he could barely walk when he was left by the roadside.
“Sikuwa nimenyoa, but unaona hata vile walinyoa before wakuje kunitupa hapo usiku… sikuwa naweza hata kutembea, I was very weak,” he said.
The activist’s account has renewed calls for investigations into his disappearance and the circumstances surrounding his alleged torture.
Family lawyer Dan Maanzo accused the government of being behind the incident, alleging that Mulinge was deliberately abandoned in an area where he could have been attacked by wild animals.
“The aim of dumping him in Lukenya was for hyenas to attack him… this was the government; we are telling Ruto that you cannot continue with this trend,” Maanzo said.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and authorities have yet to publicly respond to the claims made by Mulinge and his lawyer.
Meanwhile, concern remains over the whereabouts of human rights defender Collins Otieno, who reportedly disappeared shortly after going to a police station to report Mulinge’s initial disappearance.
Vocal Africa Director Hussein Khalid said activists would continue demanding answers over Otieno’s whereabouts.
“We shall continue putting pressure for the State to release Collins. From what we have gathered, he is in their custody,” Khalid said.
Khalid also pointed to the injuries sustained by Mulinge, saying he had suffered injuries to his feet and head and appeared to have experienced memory loss.
Mulinge’s sister Gloria Mwende said the family was relieved to have found him alive but remained concerned about his condition.
“As a family, we have been looking for him; we thank God he’s here safe but in critical condition… we are asking Ruto to stop this,” she said.
