John Kiriamiti to launch book, The Abduction Squad

John Kiriamiti, author of My Life in Crime and My Life with a Criminal. [David Gichuru,Standard]

More than 40 years since the release of his award-winning novel ‘My Life In Crime’, author John Kiriamiti is set to release a new book ‘The Abduction Squad’.

Published by East African Educational Publishers, the book will be unveiled at the Nairobi International Book Fair 2024 which will happen at the Sarit Centre Expo Hall between September 25 and 29.

Three of Kiriamiti’s past books; 'My Life In Crime', 'My Life With a Criminal' and My 'Life in Prison' – are among the most sought-after literary works in Kenya.

The author, in his new book, paints an ordinary person's view of over-abductions, exposing the odds that come with abductions.

“The abduction squad comprises of five hardcore criminals who are released from prison and are sent by the police commissioner on an abduction mission to a neighbouring country to capture and bring back some government critics who went to exile in an effort to silence them,” he writes.

The book comes at a time when the country has been witnessing increased cases of abductions following the Gen Z-led public protests across the country against Finance Bill 2024.

Kiriamiti's first book was written in 1984 at a time when he was serving an 18-year jail term at Kamiti Maximum Prison.

Having evaded the police for years, Kiriamiti was finally apprehended in 1971 and sentenced to jail in 1971 with 44 strokes of the cane.

East African Educational publishers will also be releasing new books by renowned authors like Dr Dan Gikonyo, Dr Chris Okemwa, Ken Kamoche and Waithira Protano.

The Nairobi International Book Fair is organised annually by the Kenya Publishers Association.