Mystery surrounds the people behind the abduction of youth amid blame game in the country.
Even after five young Kenyan men - including a popular cartoonist Gideon Kibet - who went missing just before the Christmas holidays were found alive, the main question of who could be behind the trend remains unanswered.
After the victims left their captivity, they have remained tightlipped and cannot answer key questions about who was behind their ordeal.
Police have denied involvement in the drama.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had alleged a squad behind the incidents operates from the 21st floor of a building in the city centre.
Given his former position, his claims cannot be dismissed.
Gachagua sensationally claimed there is a secret unit that has masterminded the recent abductions in the country.
Gachagua claimed the unit is led by a man he only identifies as ‘Abel’, who is related to a senior government official.
“There is a unit that is not under the command of the IG of Police. There’s a building in Nairobi the 21st floor at the city center, where the unit is operating from, led by a certain Mr Abel. Abel is a cousin to a very senior official in this government,” Gachagua said.
“And if this unit is not dismantled we will be giving the name of the building and the full names of that officer and his cousin. Your guess is as good as mine as to who is the commander of that unit.”
Several human rights organisations have condemned the trend. Police say they are investigating the incidents.
Some government officials suggest the victims staged the abduction.
Kenya has been gripped by a wave of disappearances, with the state-funded rights group saying that over 80 people have been abducted in the last six months.
The abductions generally target government critics and are widely believed to be the work of security agents, although the authorities have not admitted responsibility.
They began in June last year during nationwide anti-tax protests but increased in December when AI-generated photos of the president in a coffin were widely shared.
Kibet Bull, known for his silhouette cartoon memes critical of the government, announced his release on Monday afternoon on X to much fanfare.
He said he had been dropped off in the town of Luanda, nearly 370 kilometres away from the capital, Nairobi, where he was last seen in December.
Kibet Bull said straight after he was released he went to a disco.
His mother said she was "rejoiced" after she heard the news that her son had returned.
The others released on Monday include 24-year-old student Billy Mwangi in Embu.
Local MP Gitonga Mukunji alleged that Mwangi "was whipped and beaten while in a dark room. He is traumatised."
Mwangi's father said his son was not able to discuss what he had gone through adding that he had been taken to hospital.
"He came home around eight in the morning. He walked by himself - his mother and I saw him. We thank everyone who has prayed and supported him," he said.
Last week, Mwangi's father broke down in court as he pleaded for his son to be released.
A relative of 22-year-old Peter Muteti, who was seized in Nairobi, on 21 December said he had been reunited with the family but was disoriented and unable to speak about the ordeal.
Amnesty International Kenya welcomed the releases and urged "the State to free all abductees and hold those responsible accountable".
Two weeks ago the police denied responsibility for the abductions carried out by men in plain clothes across the country, some of which were captured on CCTV.
Rights groups and other Kenyans have linked the abductions to a shadowy intelligence and counter-terrorism unit of the security forces.
Amid the public uproar, President Ruto said last month: "We are going to stop the abductions so that our youth can live peacefully and have discipline," while urging parents to take care of their children.
On Monday police acknowledged the freeing of the men, saying they were already in contact with one of the abductees, Bernard Kavuli, who had presented himself at a police station in Maili Saba near Kitale where he was dropped.
The police said investigations into all cases of missing people were underway.
Ronny Kiplangat was also released, his family said. Peter Muteti too was dropped in the city centre.
Kavuli, a content creator, was seized on the outskirts of Nairobi in December, while Kiplangat is the brother of Kibet Bull.
Two others were seized after posting AI-generated images of the president.
At least 24 people are still missing including Steve Mbisi.
The Law Society of Kenya has filed a legal case against the state, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of seven individuals abducted last month, including those who have now been released.
The situation continues to stoke fear across the country, with parents worried about the safety of their children and activists vowing to maintain pressure until all missing persons are accounted for.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, there have been at least 82 cases of abductions since June last year, the period when youths took to the streets to protest against the Finance Bill.
In the last three months of 2024, at least 13 cases of abductions were recorded with December alone accounting for seven, the Commission said last week.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Mulele Ingonga directed the police to inform him on the status of investigations into claims of abductions and forced disappearances by January 1, 2025.
He said he is concerned with reports of abductions and forced disappearances in the country hence the need for the probe.
He said he is cognisant of the state's obligation to protect and preserve the right to life and the freedom and security of the person as provided for under Articles 26 and 29 among other provisions of the Constitution of Kenya.
He directed the Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to probe the matter and forward the probe file to his office for action.
