A harrowing incident unfolded on June 22, 2024, when Leslie, a Nairobi resident, was abducted by armed, hooded men while traveling from Alfajiri in Gigiri to a birthday party in Lavington.
The abduction occurred near the roundabout on Denis Pritt Road and Olengruone Avenue, and was witnessed by prominent figures, including Hon. Mark Mwenje and Marangu Imanyara.
Leslie’s wife, Wairimu, was the first to report the kidnapping to Justin, Leslie’s Dad, informing him that her husband had been taken by armed men in a white box Prado.
Justin immediately attempted to call Leslie, but the phone was off. Alarmed, he contacted the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, who assured him that action would be taken.
He also reached out to Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary for Interior, though he struggled to get through to officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
As the situation escalated, investigative efforts intensified. CCTV footage from Citizen TV, which captured the abduction, revealed that vehicles resembling those used by the Anti-Terrorism Protection Unit (ATPU) were involved in the incident.
Despite searches at multiple police stations and calls to several high-ranking officials, Leslie’s whereabouts remained unknown for several hours.
In a desperate move, Justin communicated with the President of Kenya via WhatsApp, alerting him to the crisis. After a brief phone malfunction, Justin was able to meet the President in person at State House.
Following a confirmation from Noordin Haji, the Director General of NIS, that Leslie was being held by national security agencies, the President gave the order for his immediate release.
Approximately one hour after the President’s intervention, Leslie was freed and returned home.
Justin later confirmed that the NIS had been involved in the incident, which was initially thought to be an abduction.
This revelation points to possible involvement of national security agencies in what appeared to be a kidnapping, raising questions about the handling of such incidents in the country.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the role of national security agencies in operations that might blur the line between legitimate security measures and potential overreach.
