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Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga has opened up about his ordeal at the hands of unknown persons who allegedly abducted him from his Kiambu home on Saturday, September 16.

Addressing members of the press outside the Madaraka Law Courts on Monday, Njenga revealed that he was freed by his abductors a few minutes past 10 pm on Sunday.

He alleged that he was abducted by state operatives alongside his personal assistant, Felix Lekishe

Njenga said he was picked up by armed men from his home in Banana area on Saturday night, blindfolded and taken to an unknown location in the company of Lekishe.

“We were locked up in a tiny room with no lights,” Njenga narrated saying the experience was horrifying.

After about 24 hours in the room, Njenga said, they were driven for about two hours and dumped at Banana estate, where they were each given Ksh2,000 to find their way home.

He hopped onto a motorbike and headed straight home.

Njenga spoke after appearing in court for a pre-trial hearing of his case, where he is charged with being in possession of crude weapons.

The release of the businessman-cum politician came hours after the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition condemned his abduction and detention.

Addressing journalists at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation on Sunday evening, Azimio leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua claimed that rogue police were behind the disappearance of Njenga.

“We strongly condemn the gang-style abduction of Mr. Njenga and his continued persecution without any charges being preferred against him. His family is being kept in the dark regarding his whereabouts,” Azimio said.

“The information we have suggests that the abductors did not identify themselves, nor did they state that he was under arrest. All indications point to this being an operation carried out by rogue police,” the coalition added.

Azimio said the abduction was part of attempts to intimidate the opposition amid protests over the rising cost of living.

“Even more alarming is that Mr. Maina Njenga appears to be a particular target of such arrests and harassment. Kenyans need to understand that Maina is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for a pre-trial, and this arrest is clearly an attempt to interfere with that scheduled pre-trial,” Azimio noted.

“Maina’s abduction is also part of the ongoing targeting and intimidation of opposition leaders by Kenya Kwanza. It is a deliberate attempt to distract Kenyans from the pressing issues such as the rising cost of fuel and food.”

The coalition demanded the immediate release of Njenga, saying the leadership would hold Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome personally responsible should anything happen to him.

“We vehemently condemn the abduction and continued persecution of Mr. Maina and his family. We demand his immediate and unconditional release or his production in court. We want to make it clear that we will hold the Inspector General of Police fully accountable for Mr. Maina’s life should anything happen to him,” Azimio noted.