A family in Nairobi’s Huruma slum has accused security officers of abducting their son in February.
Pamela Ondiro said her son, Philip Ondiro, 25, was arrested
by four plainclothes police officers while watching a football match at a local entertainment joint on February 1.
“At 6pm, the officers arrested him when he shortly stepped out during half time. They took him away never to be seen again,” she told the Star yesterday.
She identified two of the officers, who serve at Huruma police station as Gitonga and Makori.
“We do not know where they took him. We searched in almost all police stations and mortuaries. We are yet to find him,” a teary Pamela said.
She said on the evening of the arrest, Philip called her through his mobile phone and sounded as though in distress, but his phone was
immediately
disconnected and switched off.
“His phone is unreachable since then,” Pamela said.
Philip's father Paul Ondiro, a jua kali artisan in Eastleigh Section Three, said he reported the matter to the office of the Inspector General of Police, where he and some witnesses recorded statements.
The file was forwarded to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, he said.
"Ipoa contacted me and I told them everything I know," Paul said.
“But until now nothing has been forthcoming. This is really traumatising.”
Efforts to seek comments from police were unsuccessful as Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett and spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki did not answer our calls.