Isiolo family in distress as father of four abducted in broad daylight

Abdi Lubu, who was abducted by unknown people infront of a hotel in Isiolo town last Friday. [Courtesy of family]

It will be a sad Christmas period for an Isiolo family whose kin was abducted in broad daylight and his whereabouts remain unknown.

The family says Abdi Lubo, 37, from Bulesa trading centre in Merti Sub-county, Isiolo, was abducted by unknown persons outside a hotel in Isiolo town last Friday afternoon and five days later they do not know where he is.

Speaking to The Standard on phone from Bulesa, the man's wife, Tume Jillo Waqo and nephew Diba Gutu appealed to the State to assist the family in tracing the whereabout of their kin, adding that the people who forced him into an unmarked saloon car "did not look like ordinary members of the public".

"They (the abductors) roughly frog marched him into a waiting car parked in front of a hotel in the centre of the town in full view of members of the public. The car sped off using the Isiolo-Meru road, said Tume.

"If it's not the police who picked him up in that inhumane manner, they should help us trace him and if they are involved we demand that he be produced in court immediately, it's his Constitutional right." said Gutu.

The incident involving the father of four who is married to two women was reported to Isiolo police station on the same day vide Occurrence Book number 51 of December 19, 2025 at 16:47 hrs with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation section by Abshiro Guyo, another relative.

Efforts to get details yesterday from the police chiefs in Isiolo were not fruitful.

The distraught family expressed concern of the safety and condition of Lubo who has been missing for the fifth day yesterday.

Tume revealed her husband had a week ago undergone head surgery to remove a growth and was on prescription.

"My worry is if he had his drugs with him, and which he must take on time. I hope for the best but at the same time I am very worried," she said.

"One of his wives is pregnant and expects to deliver in the next two weeks. This incident has caused deep anguish to his family, friends and the entire community," said Gutu.

Hassan Golicha, a resident of Bulesa said from the previous similar incidents the family believes that it was the security personnel who abducted Lubo. 

Cases of abduction and forced disappearances have increased in Isiolo in recent years, with whereabout of some still unknown.

While some had resurfaced, a few others had been taken to court, mostly with charges related to trafficking of bhang. Others were cases related to foreigners found in the country illegally, where those found were charged in court and are eventually deported.

The bhang issue had become a crisis in northern Kenya with Isiolo being a major transit route. The bhang's origin, according to the State is from southern Ethiopia and had turned out to be a lucrative trade in the country and beyond.

Last February, President Ruto ordered for a crackdown on the drug traffickers and flushing out of foreigners who were reportedly from Ethiopia with their hideouts in parts of Marsabit and Isiolo during a public rally in Isiolo where section of the crown had booed him.