Main content

What鈥檚 behind Kenya鈥檚 increase in abductions?

We hear from Gerald Karicha, whose son Billy Mwangi was kidnapped in December.

It has become a worrying trend in Kenya. Out of nowhere, hooded men appear in unmarked vehicles wielding guns with the aim of kidnapping someone.

Victims are then blindfolded and taken to places that are not officially recognised police stations to be interrogated.

Foreign nationals have not been spared.

Tanzanian human rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai says she was abducted by armed men in Nairobi last Sunday afternoon but released hours later. She鈥檇 fled to Kenya in 2020 seeking asylum after facing increasing threats.

And last year, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was reportedly kidnapped and taken to Uganda where he is currently facing a military court.

In today鈥檚 episode, Alan Kasujja hears from a father whose son was abducted, and speaks to an investigative journalist about what鈥檚 behind this spate of kidnappings.

Release date:

Available now

18 minutes

Podcast