Activist Collins Otieno, who had gone missing while seeking assistance to trace fellow activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti, has been found dumped along Thika Road in Kenya. According to Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, Otieno was discovered at around 4:30 am by a boda boda rider. The rider took Otieno to Neema Uhai Hospital in the Kasarani area, where he was receiving treatment. Otieno was reportedly disoriented, weak, and injured when found.
Otieno had disappeared on Monday, September 21, during protests over the continued detention of long-time Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye. He was among several activists arrested in Nairobi's Central Business District. Reports indicated that Otieno had gone to report Muteti's disappearance and help establish where his colleague was before he also reportedly went missing. The circumstances surrounding Otieno's disappearance and how he ended up along Thika Road were not immediately detailed.
The discovery of Otieno's whereabouts comes a day after Muteti was also found alive in the Lukenya area of Machakos. Muteti had reportedly disappeared on Monday after leaving fellow protesters in Nairobi's Central Business District to print a petition. Both activists were found in a similar state, with Muteti narrating a horrific abduction ordeal.
Hussein Khalid stated that Otieno was receiving treatment at Neema Uhai Hospital. The activist's recovery has brought relief to his colleagues and family members who had been searching for him. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of activists in Kenya, particularly those involved in protests and advocacy work.
The protests, which were sparked by the continued detention of Kizza Besigye, have been ongoing in Nairobi. Several activists have been arrested and detained in connection with the protests. The Kenyan government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with human rights groups calling for an investigation into the disappearances and alleged mistreatment of activists.
The incidents have also highlighted the risks faced by activists in Kenya, who often face intimidation, harassment, and violence for their work. The government has been urged to take steps to ensure the safety and protection of activists, as well as to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearances of Otieno and Muteti.
Otieno's recovery is a positive development, but the incidents have raised concerns about the safety of activists in Kenya. The government and relevant authorities have been urged to take responsibility for the safety of activists and to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
Key points
- Activist Collins Otieno was found dumped along Thika Road in Kenya and rushed to hospital after going missing while seeking help for fellow activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti.
