The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin have appeared before the High Court today (Thursday, January 30).
They appeared before Justice Chacha Mwita.
Their appearance in court follows multiple summons related to the abductions of three individuals from Mlolongo, Machakos County.
The court had previously ordered the two senior police officers to appear in person to explain the whereabouts of Justus Mutumwa, Martin Mwau and Karani Muema, who disappeared on December 16, 2024.
Despite earlier failures to attend court sessions, both Kanja and Amin complied with the court's directive Thursday.
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Speaking in court, Amin clarified that the National Police Service (NPS) was not involved in the custody of the missing persons.
"I wish to state that the missing persons are not under the custody of the National Police Service. We have not arrested them and they are not under our custody. Under the circumstances we can neither produce their bodies nor can we formally prefer any charges against them," he said.
Amin pointed out that under the Constitution of Kenya, any individual who is arrested must be brought before a court of law within 24 hours.
"The constitution is very clear any persons arrested by officers of the National Police Service must be availed before a court within 24 hours and we are very much alive to that provision of the constitution," he added.
On January 23, 2025, the High Court directed Kanja and Amin to appear in court in person to explain the whereabouts of the missing Mlolongo men.
Justice Mwita issued the directive after dismissing an application by the two police chiefs seeking exemption from court attendance, arguing that they were unaware of who arrested the three men or where they were being held.
The court emphasized the importance of protecting the rights and lives of the missing individuals, whose families remain in anguish over their whereabouts.
