Elgiva Bwire, a suspect convicted of terrorism 10 years ago for killing 1 person and injuring 20 others in a grenade attack, was declared missing upon his release on October 28.
The Ex-convict and his lawyer reportedly went missing on the same day, with no information concerning their current whereabouts.
According to reports, Bwire was picked from Kamiti Maximum Prison by his mother, brother, and nephew. However, it is stated that the Ex-convict alighted in the middle of town. A video circulating on social media showed Bwire's nephew being abducted by people believed to be the police. However, reports confirm that he was released in Mlolongo, Athi river around 11 pm.
The Ex-convicts mother, also happens to be the sister-in-law of former Westlands Member of Parliament, Fred Gumo. The family then resorted to seek help from Gumo at his home in Muthaiga, Nairobi where he informed them to report to the police. As they headed back to Fred Gumo's home after filing a report, they were forcefully abducted by people believed to be the police.
Soon after getting information on Mr. Bwire's disappearance, his lawyer, Professor Hassan Nandwa, headed to the Central police station to file a missing persons report, before heading to Jamia mosque for the evening prayers. However, he also went missing and was last spotted at 7 pm on that day.
According to a statement made by the lawyer's son, Elmiqdad Hassan, he stated, ''It is not normal for a man of my father’s stature to be unavailable for over an hour because he is always being called by his clients.”
His son narrated that plain-clothed police officers raided the lawyer's home shortly past 8 pm, demanding information on the whereabouts of Mr. Bwire.
''This is when I heard a loud knock on the door and rushed to open it but was shocked to find armed men who had their guns readily cocked. Upon asking who they were, two of them identified themselves as the police and showed their job cards, meanwhile, seven others were in the house while several others were downstairs,'' he further narrated.
The officers claimed that they suspected the recently released prisoner was in the lawyer's house and went on to search the house but later left when they were unable to find the Ex-convict.
“Why would the police resort to such means even if they are looking for someone that they say is dangerous. Bwire has his right, he has just been freed from prison. My father should also not be persecuted for representing him because that is his job. Let us follow the law,” Hassan remarked.
The family suspects that the Anti-terror Police Unit has a hand in the abduction of their kin. They have filed missing persons reports at several police stations, the Anti-terror Police Unit, and the regional commander's office.
Three months ago, the ex-convict's family had stated their fears to the supreme council of Muslims (Supkem) chair, Ole Naado Hassan, concerning the re-capture of their kin immediately after his release. They wanted the task force to negotiate with the authorities to ensure that their kin is safely transported back home.
“The family had instructed Prof Nandwa to come and talk to us as Supkem so that we can do our best to guarantee the safe release of their son as soon as he is released. This was three months ago,” Ole Naado stated.
In 2011, Elgiva Bwire also known as Mohammed Seif, was convicted after he confessed to being a member of the Al Shabaab and engaging in criminal activities. He was serving his life sentence at Kamiti Maximum Prison, before he was released following a court order on Thursday, October 28.
