Families of four men abducted in Mlolongo still searching for kin

Families of missing Mlolongo friends overwhelmed during court proceedings on Jan 8, 2025.

It has been almost a month since four young men were abducted in Mlolongo, leaving their families in a state of uncertainty.

Despite searching various police stations and morgues, their efforts have yielded no results, and the men have since been dubbed the “Mlolongo Four.”

The four—Kulani Muema, Martin Nziuku, Justus Mutumwa, and Steve Mbisi—were abducted in December 2024. On Sunday, their families, united by their shared plight, gathered in Nairobi’s Waithaka area with a plea to the government to help locate their loved ones.

Among them was Mary Muema, the mother of 29-year-old Kulani Muema, who shared the anguish she has endured since her son went missing. She described him as the family’s sole breadwinner.

“I am pleading with those holding my son to release him. I just want peace, and my peace depends on my son Kulani. Let him come home, no matter the state he is in; I will be grateful,” Mary said.

“It’s better to know that your loved one has died than to endlessly search for someone who is missing, with no idea if they are alive or dead. This is truly heartbreaking,” she added.

Kulani, who ran a handbag business in Mlolongo, was abducted during a period when online critics were reportedly being targeted. However, his family insists he was focused on his business and supporting them. His aunt, Margaret, shared that life has not been the same since his disappearance, describing the search as both traumatizing and exhausting.

“It’s better to know someone has died rather than live with the pain of losing them while they’re still alive,” Margaret said.

She expressed frustration at the lack of progress in the case, saying:

“The process feels suspicious because nothing is happening since Kulani was abducted. For almost a month, no case has been brought to court, and there has been no clear communication from the authorities. We don’t know if Kulani is alive or dead.”

The family has appealed to the government for assistance. “If he committed an offense, let the law take its course. We have even sought forgiveness on his behalf,” Margaret said.

Similarly, Duncan Mutumwa, the brother of Justus Mutumwa, said it would be a relief just to hear from his brother again.

“It’s been almost a month, and we’ve searched everywhere imaginable, but all efforts have been futile,” Duncan said.

“We don’t know where he is—he’s not in any hospital, police station, or prison. His phone is unreachable, and we cannot communicate with him,” he added. Stephen Mutuku, the brother of Martin Nziuku, shared his last memory of seeing his brother leave for his boda boda work at around 10am on December 16, 2024. He never returned.