A High Court judge has sharply criticised Kenya’s top security officials after they failed to appear in person to explain what is known about the disappearance of former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier and security analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe, who has been missing for nearly four years.
During court proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Justice Martin Muya expressed his frustration after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin sent representatives instead of honouring summons requiring their personal attendance.
The two senior officers were represented by lawyer Paul Nyamodi and an investigating officer a move that drew visible disappointment from Mbijiwe’s family, who have spent years searching for answers about his fate.
Mbijiwe is alleged to have been abducted and has not been seen since, a case that has become a painful symbol of unresolved enforced disappearances in the country.
Through her lawyers, Mbijiwe’s mother asked the court to issue arrest warrants against the Inspector General and the DCI director, arguing that their failure to appear amounted to defiance of court orders.
Nyamodi defended his clients’ absence, telling the court that they had not been properly served with the summons. He also argued that the investigating officer present was better placed to brief the court on the status of investigations.
“I took time at the beginning to explain that the investigating officer is present and that the court made directions for the two senior officers without having had an opportunity to hear the status of the investigations,” Nyamodi said.
He further claimed that Mbijiwe’s disappearance had not been formally reported by his mother, a point that immediately drew scrutiny from the court.
Under cross-examination by Justice Muya, the investigating officer conceded that a missing persons report had indeed been filed by Mbijiwe’s wife at Lang’ata Police Station. A separate report was later lodged by his stepmother in 2021.
Lawyers representing the family dismissed arguments over who made the initial report, insisting the central issue was that Mbijiwe’s disappearance had been officially reported and remains unresolved years later.
Visibly displeased by what he described as evasive responses, Justice Muya issued a stern warning to all parties. He urged them to stop trading technicalities, emphasised the gravity of the case, and called for honesty, transparency and full cooperation.
“This is a serious matter,” the judge said, cautioning that the court would not tolerate attempts to sidestep responsibility as the family continues to wait for answers about their missing son.
