Court Summons Kanja, Amin To Produce Three Missing Men
News Updated: 14 July 2026 09:23 EAT
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The High Court has ordered Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin to appear before it on Wednesday at noon and produce three missing men—Macmillan Kiarie Mugo, Evans Otieno Omondi and Michael Oloo Osoro—dead or alive.
The order was issued following habeas corpus applications filed by the families of the three men, who claim they disappeared after allegedly being abducted by individuals believed to be security officers. The petitions were certified as urgent by the court.
The applications were filed at the Milimani High Court Criminal Division with the support of civil society organisation Siasa Place. The families are represented by advocates led by former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo and lawyer Abner Mango.
In the petitions, the families argue that the whereabouts of the three men remain unknown despite repeated efforts to trace them through police stations and other government agencies. They are asking the court to compel the police leadership to account for the missing persons.
Justice ordered Kanja and Amin to personally appear in court and produce the three men, whether alive or dead, as required under habeas corpus proceedings. The respondents in the case also include the Attorney General and police commanders linked to the areas where the alleged disappearances occurred.
A writ of habeas corpus is a constitutional remedy that requires any person or authority suspected of unlawfully detaining another person to produce them before court and justify the legality of their detention. It is intended to safeguard individuals against unlawful arrest, detention and enforced disappearance.
The families maintain that the three men were allegedly seized by armed individuals suspected to be state security officers before communication with them was lost. Those claims have not been determined by the court, and the police have not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petitions.
According to the court filings, relatives reported the disappearances to the relevant police stations but say they have received no information on the whereabouts or condition of their loved ones.
The case comes amid growing concern from human rights organisations and legal groups over reports of enforced disappearances and alleged abductions in Kenya. Several rights organisations have called for prompt investigations and accountability in such cases.
The Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person's right to freedom and security, including protection from arbitrary arrest or detention. It also provides that anyone arrested must be brought before a court within the period prescribed by law.
The High Court has increasingly relied on habeas corpus proceedings to compel state agencies to account for missing persons where families allege unlawful detention or enforced disappearance.
Wednesday's hearing is expected to determine whether the police leadership can account for the whereabouts of the three men and whether the court will issue further directives based on their response.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD