NPSC boss denies role in abduction of Nandi politician

The case, filed before Justice R. Nyakundi at the Eldoret High Court

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), Peter Leley, has denied allegations linking him to the reported abduction of Nandi politician Shadrack Maritim.

Maritim, an aspiring Member of Parliament for Tinderet Constituency, was reported missing on the morning of October 27, 2025, after leaving his home at Unity Gardens estate in Eldoret for a routine jog.

A search along his usual route yielded no results, and checks at nearby health facilities in the Kapseret area did not locate him.

His family filed a missing person report at Langas Police Station in Eldoret, prompting officers to visit his home on October 28 to begin inquiries.

On November 19, 2025, Maritim’s brothers—Joel Kipemoi Kosgei and Robert Kimutai—and his associate Enock Kipketer Yego filed a habeas corpus application against several state agencies and Leley, alleging involvement in the disappearance.

They listed the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Inspector General of Police, DCI Director, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander, the Attorney-General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Leley as the 1st to 8th respondents, respectively.

The petitioners alleged that the state agencies had not adequately handled the investigation and claimed the disappearance might have been connected to political differences they said Maritim had with Leley.

Days after the petition was filed, Maritim resurfaced in Mbale, Uganda, where he said he had been abandoned by unidentified individuals.

His return prompted additional legal action, with Leley’s legal team filing a notice of motion seeking to have him cross-examined.

The matter, filed before Justice R. Nyakundi at the Eldoret High Court, came up for mention on Thursday, December 11, 2025, via virtual hearing.

Through lawyer John Diro, Leley denied any involvement in the disappearance.

Diro asked the court to allow Maritim’s cross-examination so he could explain the circumstances, arguing that this could clarify whether the disappearance involved any form of self-staging for political benefit.

The lawyer repeated that this was a possibility that required examination but did not present evidence for the claim.

However, lawyer Kibe Mungai, representing the petitioners, told the court that Maritim was receiving treatment in Eldoret and could not travel to Nairobi to swear an affidavit.

He said Maritim had recorded a statement at the Eldoret DCI offices and would travel to Nairobi on Monday to swear the affidavit, to be filed on December 16.

Leley’s legal team opposed the delay and requested that Maritim be assessed by three doctors—one from the government—to verify his health condition.

Diro further asked the court to remove Leley from the proceedings, arguing that he had been implicated without evidence.

The petitioners maintained that their allegations were based on what they described as documented threats, citing a WhatsApp message dated June 30, 2023, and a recorded phone call allegedly made on December 27, 2024.

They also claimed that Maritim had, at times in 2025, expressed concerns about the 8th respondent’s dissatisfaction with him. These claims remain unverified and are subject to the court process.

The Attorney-General’s office submitted that it was premature to allege police involvement before investigations were concluded, noting that there was no proof linking security agencies to the reported disappearance.

Maritim was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, either physically or virtually, but did not.

Leley’s legal team argued that his absence undermined efforts to clarify the matter.

Justice Nyakundi emphasised the importance of Maritim providing first-hand testimony and directed that his affidavit be filed to enable the court to assess the competing accounts.

The petitioners were instructed to file the affidavit by Tuesday, ahead of the next mention date on December 19, 2025.

On that date, the court is expected to give further directions, including whether Maritim will be cross-examined, whether a medical panel will be appointed, and how to proceed with the allegations raised against senior security agencies.