The wife of the abducted businessman, Hamdia Mohamud, has narrated the traumatic events of that day, saying she and her children were threatened by hooded gunmen who forcefully took away her husband. The incident occurred on September 10, at their home in Witu, Lamu County. Hamdia said she and her children are still distressed and traumatized by the events, and are desperately waiting for news of her husband's whereabouts.
According to Hamdia, her husband had just returned from his shop and was sitting in the living room with two teachers who were helping some of their children with remedial lessons. When she joined them, her husband noticed some movement outside and alerted her, but before she could check, masked gunmen stormed in and pushed her to another room. The gunmen ordered the teachers and children to lie under the table before forcefully taking her husband away.
Hamdia tearfully narrated how her daughter tried to help her father by grabbing one of the gunmen, but was immediately thrown under the table. She said it's been two weeks of pain and agony for her family, with her children still asking when their father will come back. The family is pleading for the safe return of Mohamed Muse Mire, who has been in Lamu for over a decade and is well-known amongst locals.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy visited the family after the abduction and demanded Mire's unconditional release. County leaders from Lamu and Garissa, as well as human rights activists, have also called for his release, citing that abduction and detention without judicial process is an affront to the Kenyan constitution. Mire's relatives have been camping at his Witu home, calling for his release and stating that he has not been involved in any illegal business.
Human rights activist Muktar Dahir Osman, chairman of the Garissa Human Rights Network, urged the security officials to do their work within the confines of the constitution. He stated that abductions of citizens would undermine the fight against terror and that it's not possible to fight terror with terror. Osman also noted that the increasing cases of abduction in the country risk eroding public trust in security agencies.
The family of Mohamed Muse Mire is still hopeful for his safe return, with his wife appealing to those holding him to bring him back home. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for the government to take action to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. As the search for Mire continues, his family remains anxious and uncertain about his fate.
The abduction of Mohamed Muse Mire is one of several reported cases of enforced disappearances in Kenya. Human rights groups have expressed concern over the increasing trend, citing the need for the government to ensure that security agencies operate within the law. The case has also raised questions about the effectiveness of security agencies in Kenya and their adherence to constitutional principles.
Key points
- The wife and children of Mohamed Muse Mire are pleading for his safe return two weeks after he was abducted by unknown gunmen.
- County leaders and human rights activists have called for Mire's release, citing that abduction and detention without judicial process is an affront to the Kenyan constitution.
- Human rights activists have expressed concern over the increasing trend of enforced disappearances in Kenya, citing the need for security agencies to operate within the law.
