The National Police Service has issued a clarification after the body of Ibrahim Mwiti, a youthful man who had gone missing for several days, was found at at General Kago Hospital Mortuary in Thika.
In a statement issued on Sunday, January 5, 2024, the police stated that the late Mwiti had not been abducted and subsequently killed as alleged by a section of Kenyans.
According to the police, Mwiti was fatally knocked down by a hit and run vehicle while riding a hired motorcycle at Spur Mall area along the Thika Super Highway.
Ibrahim Mwiti’s last moments
The statement further said that the deceased had been last seen alive on November 11, 2024 and was reported missing by his mother, at Kamukunji Police Station on November 15, 2024.
“The National Police Service has observed with deep concern the unverified media reports alleging that Ibrahim Hilal Mwiti was abducted before he met his untimely death. Based on our investigations by the DCI, we wish to update the public on this case as follows: – Ibrahim Hilal Mwiti was last seen alive on November 11, 2024 and was reported missing by his mother, at Kamukunji Police Station on 15/11/24, and at Juja Police Station under on 18/11/2023,” the statement read in part.
The police further stated that a missing person circulation was done on November 22, 2024, by Juja Police Station after preliminary enquiries had turned negative.
“A missing person CIRCULATION was done on the 22/11/2024 by Juja Police Station after preliminary enquiries had turned negative referencing the 18/11/2024 initial missing person report. Notably, his body had been discovered on November 12, 2024 past midnight by Juja Traffic Police after he was fatally knocked down by a hit and run vehicle while riding a hired motorcycle Registration No. KMFG 807C at Spur Mall area along the Thika Super Highway,” the police said.
Police on body identification
The body is said to have had visible injuries at the time it was discovered., and had been registered as an unknown person at the mortuary.
According to the police, the deceased was only positively identified after his fingerprints were taken and submitted to the National Registration Bureau.
“The body which had visible head injuries was later transported and preserved at General Kago Hospital Mortuary as an unknown due to lack of identification documents at the accident scene, and the motorcycle secured at the Juja Traffic Office.
“Fingerprints of the deceased were taken by Juja Traffic Police, submitted to the National Registration Bureau, and the results dated November 21, 2024 positively identified the body as that of Ibrahim Hilal Mwiti,” the statement read.
Adding: “On January 2, 2025, Ibrahim’s mother swore an affidavit before Thika Law Courts requesting the waiver of a postmortem examination in accordance with her religious belief, and subsequently sought the release of the body which was granted by the Court.”
Mwiti’s body was laid to rest at Lang’ata Muslim Cemetery on January 3, 2025.
The police say his mother had recorded her formal statement with the DCI on January 4, 2025 and stated that he was not an activist.
INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE DEATH OF IBRAHIM HILAL MWITI
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 5, 2025
The National Police Service has observed with deep concern the unverified media reports alleging that Ibrahim Hilal Mwiti was abducted before he met his untimely death.
Gachagua on abductions
The statement by the police comes hours after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hit out at leaders allied to the government over their stance on the abductions that have been reported in the country.
Speaking on Sunday, January 5, 2024, when he attended a church service at the Guardian Angels Tetu Catholic Church in Nyeri town Constituency, Gachagua said that it was very wrong for a section of leaders to dispute the concerns that have been raised about the abductions.
The former Mathira Member of Parliament further stated that the bodies of missing persons that have since been recovered are enough evidence that abductions and extrajudicial killings are going on in the country.
Gachagua went ahead to question whether the youths whose bodies have been recovered, had abducted themselves, killed themselves and went ahead to dump their own bodies.
“We would like to ask our leaders waheshimu wakenya, kwa sababu wakati viongozi wetu wanasimama kusema ati vijana wetu ndio wanajiteka nyara, miili imepatika tatu. Sasa wakati unasema vijana wanajiteka nyara, unataka kutuambia hao bijana walijiteka nyara, wamejiua na wamejitupa kwa mtaro? Ni makosa sana kubeba wakenya ni kama ni wajinga. Hiyo maneno ya watoto kutekwa nyara ni mambo ambayo ni mbaya sana na ni vizuri tukubalie kupatia wakenya nafasi waongee,” Gachagua said.
