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Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho has been abducted by unknown individuals at Karen Police Station.
Gaitho, who was with his son, was intercepted by a Subaru as they left their home. He drove to Karen Police Station, where he was forcefully taken.
In a video seen by the Star, Gaitho is shown being shoved into a white Probox inside the station by people in civilian clothes as police looked on. The video was recorded by his son.
However, Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohamed stated that Gaitho’s arrest was a case of mistaken identity. He has since been released.
This incident occurs amid a wave of abductions linked to anti-government demonstrations protesting the ‘punitive’ Finance Bill, 2024. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 59 people have been abducted or are missing.
“The number of those arbitrarily arrested is at 682. We condemn the abductions and arrests and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained persons related to the protests,” said KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede.
KNCHR has also sought court orders of Habeas Corpus to seek accountability for the missing and abducted persons.
Dj Vnyash
