Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has attributed the slow pace in resolving cases of missing persons in Kenya to a lack of digital evidence, stating that the absence of CCTV footage and phone data hampers security agencies from tracking down suspects.
Speaking on Citizen TV during an exclusive interview with Jeff Koinange on Wednesday night, Murkomen refuted claims that the government is giving preferential treatment to the investigation into the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Were, while ignoring unresolved abduction cases especially those linked to the June 25, 2024, anti-Finance Bill protests.
“It’s quite ironic that after the assassination of Kasipul MP, Charles Were, in the streets of Nairobi, the DCI managed to apprehend 11 suspects so swiftly,” Koinange challenged. “Yet, young individuals were taken away nearly a year ago, and no one knows their whereabouts. Is this selective justice?”
In defense, Murkomen insisted the difference lies in the availability of evidence. “In Honourable Were’s case, CCTV showed who was with him in Parliament. Motorcycles that followed him were identified, and phone triangulation revealed who was involved. That’s what made the arrests possible,” he explained.
He emphasized that many disappearance cases lack such digital footprints, complicating investigations. “Tracing the perpetrator’s phone is often the biggest challenge in missing persons cases,” he added.
Discrepancy in Reported Numbers
Murkomen acknowledged that as of May 2025, there are 13 documented cases of missing persons, some linked to budget-related protests. However, this figure sharply contrasts with a report by Missing Voices, a human rights organization, which recorded at least 55 cases of enforced disappearances in 2024 alone.
The report further revealed that from 2019 to 2024, over 970 Kenyans have either disappeared under mysterious circumstances or were victims of extrajudicial killings.
Ruto’s Statement Sparks Outrage
President William Ruto recently claimed that all missing Kenyans had been safely reunited with their families a statement that sparked public backlash. Families of the missing individuals countered the claim, saying they had neither seen their loved ones nor received any official communication.
Murkomen backed the President, arguing that the status of such cases evolves over time. “A person is listed as missing until evidence proves otherwise. You only label it abduction when the responsible party is identified,” he clarified.
He also referred to past instances, including trafficked pastors and a missing MCA from Wajir who was later found alive, as examples of cases initially misunderstood.
Emotional Toll and Commitment to Justice
Murkomen expressed empathy for the families of missing individuals. “I had a long talk with a mother from Nakuru. You could feel the pain of a parent searching for their child. It truly affected me,” he said, adding that police officers linked to some of the arrests have since been arraigned in court.
He reiterated the Kenya Kwanza government’s commitment to ending extrajudicial killings a promise made during the 2022 election campaigns. “We made it clear in our manifesto. The President signed a written pledge to stop these heinous acts. There is no government policy to kill people outside the law,” he stressed.
As investigations continue, the families of the missing remain in limbo, desperate for answers, and calling for transparency, accountability, and justice.
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