Kenyans were met by a wave of concern on Wednesday, June 25, after reports that two more youths had been abducted on Tuesday night, just before the much-anticipated protests.
Political commentator and former government advisor Mutahi Ngunyi took to social media moments after the news broke to confirm the identities of the two men, stating that both individuals had previously worked closely with him and that they were safe after being released.
“I can confirm that both Paul Ngari and Kevin Maina, my former associates, have been released on free bond – P52,” Ngunyi wrote on his X account at 1.30am, Wednesday morning.
Ngunyi, however, did not reveal why the two had been apprehended in such a dramatic manner. However, the duo were reportedly involved in online activism and outspoken views, which may had led to their forceful apprehension.
In videos that made rounds on social media and seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the two were seen forcefully taken into custody by two unknown people, while those present tried relentlessly to prevent the alleged abduction.
In the video, the pair can be seen being forcibly ushered into a Subaru Forester with civilian number plates, after which the vehicle drives off.
This sparked widespread concern among Kenyans, who took to social media to advocate for the pair's release.
Among those who raised an alarm over the alleged abductions were People Liberation Party leader Martha Karua who joined Kenyans in demanding for their release.
Following the abduction, Kenyans expressed outrage, comparing the incident to a string of unresolved disappearances linked to state operatives.
One such case is the disappearance of Ndiangui Kinyagia, the man behind the June 25 protest timetable.
Kinyagia had taken to his X account to share the whole schedule of the June 25 activities which included a plan to march to State House and the declaration of a new republic.
However, a statement by LSK revealed that his residence was surrounded on the afternoon of Saturday, June 21 by six to ten Subaru vehicles, with the last communication being with his mother around 1:00 pm that day.
