Human rights activist Muteti Mulinge has recounted a harrowing four-day ordeal in captivity, alleging that he was severely beaten, tortured, starved and blindfolded before being dumped in the Lukenya area of Athi River.
Mulinge, who is receiving medical treatment after being found alive on Thursday night, said his ordeal began during protests in Nairobi calling for the release of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.
Speaking from his hospital bed, the activist described his encounter with his alleged abductors as brutal.
“Waliniumiza sana, it was a very brutal encounter,” Mulinge said.
He claimed the men had been tracking his movements from his home before abducting him as he went to print documents related to a petition.
“Hawa watu ni kama walinitrail kuanzia asubuhi nikitoka home, vile tulikuwa hapo nikienda kuprint documents za petition, walinichukua na kupotea, sikujua nilipelekwa wapi,” he recounted.
Mulinge said he remained blindfolded throughout his captivity and could not identify the people holding him.
He alleged that his captors subjected him to repeated beatings, burned his legs and denied him food for the duration of his captivity.
“Sijawahi kula tangu hiyo siku, walinipiga sana, kuchoma miguu and all along I was blindfolded, sikuwa nawaona but walikuwa wananiuliza kwa nini naingilia serikali,” he said.
Mulinge also recounted how his captors shaved his hair before abandoning him in Lukenya under the cover of darkness.
“Sikuwa nimenyoa, but unaona hata vile walinyoa before wakuje kunitupa hapo usiku... sikuwa naweza hata kutembea, I was very weak,” he said.
His family lawyer, Dan Maanzo, alleged that dumping Mulinge in the area at night was intended to expose him to further danger.
“The aim of dumping him in Lukenya was for hyenas to attack him... this was the government; we are telling Ruto that you cannot continue with this trend,” Maanzo said.
The allegations by Mulinge and his lawyer have not been independently established, and authorities have yet to publicly account for the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and release.
As Mulinge begins his recovery, attention has also turned to the whereabouts of fellow human rights defender Collins Otieno, who disappeared shortly after visiting a police station to report Mulinge's initial disappearance.
Vocal Africa Director Hussein Khalid said activists would continue pressing authorities to establish Otieno's whereabouts.
“We shall continue putting pressure for the State to release Collins. From what we have gathered, he is in their custody,” Khalid said.
Khalid said Mulinge's injuries showed the severity of the ordeal he had allegedly endured.
“Mulinge, you've seen the injuries... on his feet, head... he was really tortured and suffered memory loss,” he said.
Mulinge's sister, Gloria Mwende, said the family was relieved to have him back but remained concerned about his condition.
“As a family, we have been looking for him; we thank God he's here safe but in critical condition... we are asking Ruto to stop this,” she said.
