Politician Joel Kariuki Mwai was reportedly abducted by unidentified men claiming to be police officers in Nairobi’s Mathare area on Thursday, June 18.
Human Rights advocates at VOCAL Africa said that the 45-year-old was walking home from his shop at around 1:30 p.m. 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,” VOCAL Africa wrote.
According to reports, the men allegedly identified themselves as police officers before forcibly seizing him, pushing him into a double-cab pickup.
Reports indicated that residents who attempted to intervene were reportedly threatened after the men drew firearms before driving away with him.
Further reports indicated that Mwai’s whereabouts remained unknown by early afternoon on Friday, June 19.
Mwai has been active in the political space, most recently contesting the Mabatini Ward County Assembly seat in 2022 under the Jubilee Party.
Authorities have since not yet issued official communication regarding the alleged abduction.
