15 months on, Mwenda Mbijiwe still missing

More than 15 months since security consultant and former Kenya Air Force soldier Mwenda Mbijiwe was reported missing, his family is still engulfed in anguish and distress over his whereabouts.

Mbinjiwe disappeared on June 12, 2021, on the same day he was reportedly scheduled to travel to Meru.

The car he was driving was recovered the following day in a coffee plantation near Tatu City in Kiambu County.

To date, his family has not heard of him, nor do they know his status.

Speaking to nation.africa, Mbijiwe’s mother issued a hearty appeal to whoever is holding his son to free him, noting that she still believes he is alive.

“I appeal to them to bring back my son because I know he is alive. If he were dead, his body could have been discovered a long time ago,” said Jane Gatwiri.

Since Mbijiwe’s disappearance, investigative authorities have issued pledges multiple times to find him, but progress seems worryingly slow.

Gatwiri said the family has explored all existing avenues in efforts to help find her son, all in vain.

“There is no office I have not visited,” she said.

She also recalled her other son’s long walk from Meru to Nairobi in efforts to motivate investigative authorities to hasten the search.
Nicholas Bundi’s walk earlier this year got media attention, but despite re-igniting public talk on Mbijiwe’s disappearance, nothing has been forthcoming so far.

“When Bundi realized that this matter was taking a toll on my health, he walked all the way to Nairobi, but nothing came out of the desperate move. But I know God is with Mwenda wherever he is,” said Gatwiri.

Missing Voices stands I solidarity with Gatwiri and her family.
We call for expedited action geared towards locating Mbijiwe, and the prosecution of all persons behind his disappearance. We hope the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the National Police Service and all other relevant agencies can help find him.

We also urge the new administration to deliver on its promise of eradicating enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.