Residents of Mlolongo town in Machakos County are seeking clarity after businessman Jimmy Mutava allegedly disappeared following an abduction by armed, masked men.
Witnesses report that around 8pm, four masked individuals stormed a nightclub in Mlolongo, forcibly placing Mutava into a double-cabin vehicle before speeding off towards Quarry Road. The men claimed to be police officers conducting an operation, but no official confirmation has been provided.
Events Leading to the Disappearance
Gerald Ouma, a neighbour who witnessed the incident, described the rapid sequence of events and noted that one of the men identified themselves as police to bystanders.
Mutava's wife, Margaret Mutuku, revealed that in the days before the incident, her husband appeared fearful and mentioned ongoing issues without elaboration. She added that Mutava had been summoned by the Mlolongo Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for a meeting at Bijou Hotel shortly before he vanished.
According to Mutuku, the OCS left briefly to use the restroom, and upon return, Mutava was missing. Moments later, masked men arrived and abducted him.
Community Response and Police Statement
Local elder Paul Ndinda confirmed the family’s overnight search efforts and recounted the OCS’s explanation. Resident Josephine Mutani questioned why, if Mutava had committed any offence, he was not taken to a police station or court.
Athi River West Sub-County Police Commander Anderson Mbae acknowledged that a formal report had been lodged and investigations are ongoing. However, he denied that Mutava is in police custody.
