Families fear police abductions after kin arrested in Nakuru and Baringo

Fears of abduction have gripped two families after separate incidents in Nakuru and Baringo counties, where men disappeared after alleged interactions with undercover police officers.

In Nakuru, 46-year-old hawker Mohammed Sherif from Bondeni Estate disappeared on June 3 under mysterious circumstances.

Mr Sherif had left home to buy medication for his ailing mother but never returned.

His mother, Ms Sharmanheu Abud,76, received a tense phone call hours later from her son reporting that he had been detained by individuals identifying themselves as police. He told her they had taken him to Central Police Station but hadn’t officially booked him in.

Concerned, Ms Abud reported her son missing the next day at Bondeni Police Station under OB 55/5/6/2025.

She told  Nation that Mr Sherif had previously warned her, providing the name and number of the station's commanding officer in case he disappeared and stressing that she should inquire if he wasn’t released within two days.

“He told me this but also encouraged me to rest as I was unwell,” she said. Despite her visits to multiple police stations, she found no trace of him. His phone was switched off after its last tracing near Nakuru Athletics Club.

 “I’m hurt and lost. If he were arrested, I’d know where he is. But this uncertainty is ruthless,” she said in an interview.

Nakuru East sub-County Police boss Samson Adanje confirmed receipt of the missing person report and acknowledged an active investigation.

“We are tracing the last person he contacted,” he said, adding there’s no indication so far linking the officer commanding station to any forced disappearance.

Meanwhile, a livestock trader in Baringo County has vanished after purportedly being picked up by plainclothes officers.

Mr Nyang’or Rengit, 50, from Ademeyon in Tiaty Central disappeared on Monday afternoon while at the Nginyang’ market.

"Warning shots"

Witnesses told relatives that six unidentified officers arrived in two vehicles, a blue double-cabin pickup and a grey Toyota Prado, fired warning shots to scatter vendors and forcibly removed him.

“He had resisted saying he had committed no crime. We don’t know of any crime he committed and  they should present him in court,” said relative Nelson Asiroi. Eyewitnesses say he left behind his motorcycle, a shoe and a cap during the commotion.

A missing person report OB No 04/11/06/2025 was filed at Nginyang’ Police Station on Wednesday.

Sub-County Commander Amos Shamala acknowledged the report but denied police involvement in the abduction.

Civil society and activists have urged authorities to expedite investigations, act transparently and bring forth any charges or confirmed locations.