‘Billy Mwangi’s mother is unwell and admitted in hospital as a result of his abduction’ – former LSK president Theuri

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri has revealed that the mother of Billy Mwangi, a 22-year-old abducted after posting AI-generated images criticizing President William Ruto, is hospitalized due to the distress caused by her son’s disappearance.

In a statement shared via his X account on Thursday, December 26, 2024, Theuri described his conversation with Mwangi’s father, highlighting the family’s anguish.

“I have spoken with Billy Mwangi’s father. The frustration and hopelessness in his voice are heart-wrenching. He informs me the mother is unwell and admitted to the hospital as a result of his abduction. I have assured him that we will petition the court for a writ of habeas corpus. It’s the least we can do,” Theuri stated.

Mwangi and 3 others

Mwangi’s abduction occurred on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Embu County. According to eyewitnesses, four masked, armed men stormed a barber shop where Mwangi was present. They forced him into a double-cabin pickup and sped off towards the Embu-Nairobi Highway. His family believes the incident is connected to the AI-generated image of President Ruto that Mwangi posted on social media.

Similarly, another 22-year-old social media influencer, Peter Muteti, was abducted in Uthiru, Nairobi, under similar circumstances. Muteti, known for his online activism, had also posted an AI-generated image of the President on X.

Benard Kavuli, a 24-year-old, was also abducted on Sunday evening at a petrol station in Ngong town by four armed individuals. The incident reportedly appears to be connected to his recent social media activity, particularly posts on his X account where he criticized the government and revisited issues surrounding the 2007 post-election violence in Kenya.

IG Kanja

Earlier, Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja denied allegations linking police officers to the abductions.

In a press release on Thursday, December 26, 2024, IG Kanja reiterated that the police’s role is to arrest offenders, not abduct individuals. He clarified that no police station in the country is detaining the missing individuals.

“The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that police officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya. For clarity, the constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct, but to arrest criminal offenders. For the avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees,” IG Kanja stated.

He also urged the public to avoid spreading what he called false and malicious information that tarnishes the image of the police.

“Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility,” he added.

Kanja reaffirmed the police’s dedication to protecting citizens and encouraged anyone with information on the missing individuals to report to the nearest police station.