The disappearance of a businesswoman after she reportedly left the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on Kiambu Road in Nairobi has raised questions that only the investigators can answer.
Ann Njeri Njoroge, who is at the heart of the controversial importation of 100,000 metric tonnes of oil worth about Sh17 billion, was said to have been summoned by DCI to record a statement over the ownership of the oil from Turkey but disappeared soon after meeting the officers. According to her lawyer, the DCI officers said Njeri left the station after recording her statement and that her family has not been able to trace even through her mobile since.
The public cannot help but speculate about her whereabouts. Was she abducted immediately after she left the DCI offices? If so, who knew about her movements? Did she go into hiding? Is she still in police custody?
Whatever the case, the buck stops with the police as they are the last known people to have interacted with her. Police must bring back Njeri.
Sadly, such abductions are becoming increasingly common. In August, businessman Jaswant Singh Rai was kidnapped in daylight by armed men in broad daylight in Kilimani, Nairobi, and held for two days. Before he was released, he was reportedly warned by his abductors not to discuss whatever happened to him with anyone.
Maina Njenga, the former Mungiki leader, was abducted in September and released after 24 hours. He claimed later that police were behind his abduction. A few days ago, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja's aide was also abducted in Nairobi.
It is upon police to tell Kenyans who are behind these abductions. It is not a secret that police have been accused of carrying out abductions and even executing suspects. Police must investigate and bring to book those behind current and previous abductions, even if they are their colleagues. The law is clear on how suspects should be arrested and handled and gives no room for underhand tactics. It's time to halt Kenya's gradual descent into lawlessness.
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