- He was allegedly re-arrested by security officers who bundled him into a white Probox accompanied by a heavily guarded Land Cruiser.
- Amani was released on March 21, 2022, but was abducted the same day and none of his family members has heard from him.
A sick elderly couple in Kwale County has gone on hunger strike demanding the release of their son, who was abducted a few hours after release from prison.
A sick and elderly couple in Kwale has gone on hunger strike demanding the release of their son, who was abducted immediately after release from prison.
Amani Mohammed Mwafujo also known as Saad, 35, was abducted last week in Mombasa after he was set free from Shimo la Tewa prison.
He was allegedly re-arrested by security officers who bundled him into a white Probox accompanied by a heavily guarded Land Cruiser.
The incident happened in a broad daylight between Shimo la Tewa and Shanzu Teachers Training College.
Rights activists, civil society organisations and residents have joined the family in petitioning the government to help bring Mwafujo home.
The couple, Mariam Mohammed Mfumbire, who is suffering from heart disease, and Mohammed Hemedi Mwafujo, bedridden, have vowed not to eat until Amani is found.
The mother was discharged from hospital after being admitted to ICU last week due to deteriorating health condition upon receiving news about her son.
Mariam said her life doesn't matter and she only wants her son who she has not seen for six years.
"I don't want anything, I won't eat or take medicine so just let me die if my son won't be returned," she said.
Amani was arrested on October 24, 2016, and charged with 10 terror-related crimes which he denied in a Kwale court.
On March 18, 2022, he was acquitted after the court found him not guilty.
According to his brother Hemedi Mohammed Mwafujo, only two witnesses had appeared before the court to testify against him by March 1, 2019.
The investigation officer failed to appear before court during the entire period Amani was remanded.
Amani was released on March 21, 2022, but was abducted the same day and none of his family members has heard from him.
The family reported to all police stations and anti-terror police units in vain.
The mother recalls the last day she talked to the son before his release fearing that it might be the last conversation she will ever have with him.
What pains her most, is that she had bought new clothes for her son and food items to prepare his best meal and hold a family reunion.
The father, 85, is paralysed and suffers from memory loss.
The family said Amani was a simple teacher at Tawheed Secondary School in Denyenye, teaching History and Kiswahili.
The couples now want the government to help them locate Amani.
"We ask interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, Inspector General of police and rights activists to join us in bringing our son home," the couple said.
According to Muhuri Rapid Response officer, Francis Auma over 1,000 cases of enforced human disappearances and extrajudicial killings have been reported at the Coast in five years.
Kwale is leading, this year alone it has recorded four cases and two in Mombasa.
Auma condemned the act and ask the government to protect its citizens.
"We will go to court for assistance, we want Amani back dead or alive," he said.
He said Amani's case would be the last in Kwale because they intend to conduct a major peaceful demonstration to protest against forced human disappearances.
Kwale CSOs consortium chairperson Kashi Jermaine said the rights organisations won't relent until justice is served.
Msambweni MP Feisal Bader urged the government to use the right channels in tackling insecurity and crime.
"Everyone has a right to live and if there are issues let the law take its course not injustice," he said.
He said it is the responsibility of the police and government to protect lives.
Bader promised to seek support from other leaders and present the matter in parliament.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)