Human rights activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti has been found alive in Lukenya, four days after he went missing in Nairobi. Vocal Africa director Hussein Khalid announced on Friday, September 25, that Muteti was found at about 3am after being allegedly dumped in Lukenya, Machakos County. Khalid said Muteti then walked a long way before reaching a petrol station where a member of the public helped him get a phone to contact his brother.
“Comrade Muteti Mulinge has been found. He was dumped last night around 3am in the Lukenya area. He had to walk for a long distance to a Shell petrol station where he got a good Samaritan who helped him with a phone to call his brother,” Khalid said.
Khalid said Muteti was in a weak and disoriented state and had injuries. He was then taken to a hospital in the Mlolongo area for treatment.
“He is disoriented, weak and injured. He is currently receiving treatment at Sanel Hospital in Mlolongo area,” Khalid said.
Details of Muteti’s injuries and treatment were not revealed.
Muteti went missing on Monday, September 21, after demonstrations in Nairobi demanding that the detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye be released. According to reports by Citizen Digital, Muteti had left fellow activists in Nairobi’s Central Business District to print a petition before his phone went dead. His disappearance prompted his family and human rights defenders to approach security agencies to investigate.
On Thursday, activist Francis Awino filed a petition at the Milimani Law Courts seeking orders against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Mohamed Amin for directions as to the whereabouts of Muteti. The application sought disclosure of whether the activist was arrested or detained and if so, the basis for his arrest or detention and the records of his custody. The application comes after activists alleged that Muteti was arrested during the protests.
The police have not confirmed that Muteti was in their custody. The murky developments that preceded the activist’s discovery in Lukenya remain unclear. There is no police confirmation that Muteti was in their custody before his disappearance. The allegations levelled against him by Khalid that he was dumped in Lukenya have not been proven.
For now, family members, friends and activists have gathered at the hospital where he is receiving treatment. His discovery comes as the court hears the application for directions as to Muteti’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. More details are expected to emerge as to his condition and what exactly happened between September 21 when he was last seen in Nairobi and his discovery in Lukenya on Friday morning.