Kitengela Brothers Narrrate 30-Day Harrowing Ordeal In Hands Of Abductors: "Choo Once A Week"

• Jamil, Aslam, and Bob Njagi were allegedly tortured and subjected to severe starvation during the period they were kidnapped
• Abdi Razak claimed that his two brothers were denied the right to worship and were only allowed to use washrooms once a week
• On the day of their release, they were given back their phones and given KSh 300 to take them to their destination

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nairobi - The abducted Kitengela brothers and activist Bob Njagi were found safe and sound after 30 days incommunicado.

Abdi Razak, brother of Jamil and Aslam Longtone, spoke for the first time since their release, detailing the harrowing ordeal the three endured.

How were Kitengela 3 treated in captivity?

He claimed that the brothers and activist Bob Njagi were subjected to intense torture and severe starvation during their captivity.

“From the second day, they were severely tortured and beaten while being questioned about the protests. They were served food once a day, and water was limited to 300ml," he stated.

To compound their ordeal, the two brothers were reportedly denied the right to worship and permitted to use the washroom only once a week.

"The washrooms were opened only once a week," he claimed.

Where were Jamil, Aslam dropped by kidnappers?

Razak further said that when his brothers were freed on Friday, September 20, they were given back their phones and given KSh 300 for bus fare, all while blindfolded. They were also warned not to speak about their experiences.

"They were dropped near Bishop Gate in Gachie, handed back their phone, and given KSh 300 as bus fare," Razak added.

Njagi surfaced in Thogoto on the same day the brothers were spotted.

Why were Kitengela 3 abducted?

The three were kidnapped on August 19, forcibly bundled into a Subaru car by men said to be police officers, and taken to an undisclosed location.

Their abduction was linked to their active participation in protests against the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.

What happened while Kitengela 3 were still missing?

Meanwhile, their release coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of the new Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.

Their abduction sparked a wave of protests, with Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya accusing then-acting IG Gilbert Masengeli of being aware of their whereabouts.

As the situation escalated, Masengeli was summoned multiple times by the High Court but defied the orders, resulting in a six-month jail sentence.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke