Families of Abducted Activists Issue 24-Hour Ultimatum, Threaten Nationwide Shutdown

The families of prominent activists Davis Lichuma, MacMillan Kiarie, and Abdulaziz Molu have issued a chilling 24-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of their relatives. The announcement, delivered on Sunday, has plunged the country into a state of high alert, with the families warning that failure to comply will trigger a wave of nationwide demonstrations.

The trio is among several individuals who vanished following the commemoration of the June 25 protests. Their families, supported by civil society leaders, addressed the public alongside former Chief Justice David Maraga, who delivered a scathing indictment of the current administration. Maraga condemned the ongoing “disregard for the Constitution,” accusing state security apparatuses of operating with complete impunity outside the bounds of the law.

“We are tired of the silence and the games,” a spokesperson for the families stated. “We have given the state 24 hours to produce our sons. If they are not returned, the country will witness a level of mobilization that the government will not be able to contain.”

The ultimatum comes as the nation grapples with a surge in alleged abductions and state-sanctioned disappearances. While six protesters previously reported missing were recently found dumped in various parts of the city—bearing visible signs of torture and physical assault—the whereabouts of Lichuma, Kiarie, and Molu remain unknown, fueling fears for their safety.

Legal experts and human rights organizations have stepped up their criticism, noting that the return of enforced disappearances mirrors the darkest periods of the country’s political history. With tension mounting and police presence heightened in Nairobi, the 24-hour deadline sets the stage for a potential confrontation. Security analysts warn that should the state fail to account for the missing men, the scheduled protests could paralyze major urban centers, bringing the capital’s economy to a standstill as citizens demand accountability and an immediate end to the wave of abductions.