Wamuzi News Ke
A chilling new chapter unfolded in Kenya’s intensified protest crackdown today after two prominent youth leaders, Peter Kinyanjui and Wanjiku Thiga, were rearrested by elite anti-terror police shortly after being released on bail—and have since vanished without a trace.
The scene outside the Ruiru Law Courts grew chaotic as supporters cheered their release on bail, only for heavily armed officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Anti-Terrorism Unit to forcefully seize them moments later.
Both were reportedly hauled into unmarked vehicles and taken away in a show of overwhelming force .
Families Desperate for Answers.
A tearful Beatrice Wanjiru, mother of Kinyanjui—widely known as “Kawanjiru”—described her shock: “We were surprised. Armed policemen pounced on him, dragging him into a van… My heart is worn out and my body is weak.”
His wife, Catherine Wambui, echoed the anguish: lawyers spent yesterday searching without success, while their home remains eerily silent.
Rights Groups Sound the Alarm.
Civil society and faith leaders have decried the incident as a blatant violation of constitutional rights. Many fear it signals a return to enforced disappearances last seen during the autocratic Moi era.
This operation also follows other high-profile disappearances—like that of blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia, who went missing after posting a protest plan on social media .The Judicial Service Commission has condemned the violence and disorder outside Ruiru court, calling for an urgent inquiry .
State Justifies Arrests as Security Sweep.
The DCI has defended its actions, framing them as part of a “security sweep” targeting organizers of last month’s Gen Z demonstrations—a wave of unrest that spiraled into clashes, arrests, and several unexplained disappearances.
Over 60 protesters have been killed and more than 80 missing in the six-week upheaval .Authorities insist these sweeping arrests are necessary to restore order, though opposition voices accuse the state of using security apparatus to dismantle legitimate political dissent.
What’s at Stake.
Rule of law under pressure: When bail orders are disregarded, judiciary independence is threatened, raising fears of political interference in legal processes.
Escalating tension and fear: With youth leaders disappearing, many fear a darker turn in government tactics as Saba Saba protests loom.International attention: Recent disappearances have drawn scrutiny from Amnesty International and the United Nations, heightening pressure on the Kenyan government to halt rights abuses .
What to Watch.
1. Immediate Release or Proof of Charges: Will the state present the two youth leaders in court? Families are awaiting confirmation of their whereabouts.
2. Protests Over Disappearances: Expect renewed demonstrations as civil society rallies behind #FreeKawanjiru and #FreeWanjiku.
3. Judicial Investigations: Will the JSC or Director of Public Prosecutions initiate a full probe into law-enforcement conduct outside the courts?
