KHRC claims 3 missing June 25 protesters found dumped in Hurlingham, 4 still unaccounted for
By Mustafa Juma, June 27, 2026The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has claimed that three people who reportedly disappeared during the June 25 commemorative protests were found abandoned in Nairobi’s Hurlingham area in the early hours of Saturday, June 27, 2026, while four others remain unaccounted for.
In a statement released on Saturday, June 27, 2026, the rights organisation said the three “comrades” were found at around 5 a.m. after being forcibly disappeared during the demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024, anti-government protests.
“Three comrades who forcibly disappeared during the June 25 commemoration were found dumped around Hurlingham today at 5 am. Four others are still missing. We demand their immediate, unconstitutional release,” KHRC said.
The commission did not immediately disclose the identities or medical conditions of the three individuals it said had been found, and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and release had not been independently verified at the time of publication.
However, it shared a poster showing that Collins Otieno, Fredrick Ojiro, and Christine Lubanga were the protesters that have been found dumped.
According to KHRC, activists Muteti Mulinge, Elisha Alam, Davis Lichuma, and Michael Ngigi are the ones still missing.
The human rights organisation is now demanding their unconditional release.
Hundreds arrested during June 25 demonstrations
The latest claims come days after security agencies mounted one of the country’s largest security operations during nationwide commemorations of the June 25, 2024, protests.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, police arrested 355 people across the country during the demonstrations, which were held in Nairobi and several other towns. Authorities said those detained were suspected of offences including robbery, vandalism, obstruction of roads, and attempted theft.
Police erected roadblocks across Nairobi, restricted access to Parliament, and dispersed some demonstrators using tear gas after groups attempted to march to Parliament to lay flowers in memory of victims of the 2024 protests.
Dozens presented in court
Following public pressure from lawyers and human rights organisations, dozens of those arrested were presented before courts on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo said approximately 74 protesters who had been held overnight at Central Police Station were expected to be arraigned at the Milimani Magistrates’ Court, where volunteer advocates had assembled to provide legal representation.
She also appealed to lawyers to remain on standby at Kibra and Makadara law courts in anticipation of additional arraignments involving detainees from other police stations.
Human rights organisations have maintained that every arrested person should either be released unconditionally or presented before a court within the timelines provided by the Constitution.
Concerns over missing persons
While many of those arrested have either been processed through the courts or released, concern has shifted to individuals whom rights groups claim remain missing.
KHRC says four people who disappeared during the June 25 commemorations had not been traced by Friday, prompting renewed fears over allegations of enforced disappearances.
The commission demanded what it termed the “immediate and unconditional release” of those still unaccounted for.
The organisation has previously documented cases of alleged enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions linked to periods of political unrest, urging authorities to ensure accountability whenever such claims arise.
At the time of publication, police had not publicly responded to KHRC’s latest allegations regarding the four missing individuals.
Rights groups demand accountability
The latest developments have intensified concerns among civil society organisations, which have continued to accuse security agencies of using excessive force and carrying out arbitrary arrests during public demonstrations.
Several organisations have also questioned reports of people allegedly being held without prompt access to lawyers or family members.
Families of victims of the 2024 anti-government protests used the June 25 commemorations to renew calls for justice, accountability and faster implementation of the government’s compensation programme for victims of police brutality.
President William Ruto has acknowledged past instances of excessive use of force by security personnel and announced a Ksh2 billion compensation programme for victims of protest-related abuses. However, rights groups maintain that compensation should not replace criminal accountability for unlawful killings, torture or enforced disappearances.