The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Amin Mohamed, have informed a court that they were not correctly served with summons to appear in court regarding the mysterious disappearance of three men in Mlolongo, Machakos County, in December 2024.
On January 13, Justice Mwita instructed both officials to appear on January 17 to address the case, but neither attended. Their lawyer, Paul Nyamodi, explained that the summons sent on January 8 were not properly delivered, citing the use of an incorrect email address as the reason for the failure to comply. Nyamodi further asked the court to allow the police chiefs time to file their responses and requested that any penalties for non-compliance be dismissed.
In response, the petitioners' lawyer, Noel Otieno, argued that the electronic communication used was valid and legally recognized. The police chiefs are now seeking to have the court orders, which require them to produce the missing men—either alive or deceased—set aside.
This case is not an isolated one. Both Kanja and Amin have been summoned to court in another matter involving the ongoing issue of abductions, a trend that has drawn criticism from various quarters. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a recent opinion piece, lamented the distraction these legal battles cause, stressing that such situations could undermine the police’s primary role in safeguarding public security.
The High Court is expected to deliver its ruling on Thursday next week regarding whether the summons for Kanja and Amin to appear in court will be upheld or dismissed.
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