Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji has revealed disturbing details about the torture Billy Mwangi endured during his abduction in December 2024. Speaking after Billy’s emotional reunion with his family on Monday, Mukunji condemned the cruel treatment and vowed to push for legislative changes to protect Kenyans from such abuses.
Mukunji shared that, according to a preliminary report, Billy was subjected to severe physical abuse, including whipping, and was kept in a dark room. He was given just one meal a day, which was deliberately portioned to humiliate and break his spirit. “The young man is seriously traumatized. While we were celebrating the holidays, Billy was locked away in an unknown place,” Mukunji said.
Billy Mwangi was abducted on December 21, 2024, along with several other youths who had criticized the government online, specifically President William Ruto. After 16 days in captivity, Billy returned home to Embu at around 8:00 a.m. on Monday. His father, Gerald Karicha, expressed immense relief, thanking those who had supported the family throughout the ordeal. “We thank God and all the people who have prayed with us,” he said.
Mukunji, who has been at the forefront of the campaign for Billy’s release, strongly condemned the abduction. He vowed to pursue legal reforms to prevent such incidents from happening again. “We are going to change our laws to ensure that the government acts swiftly when such things happen. If one of us is targeted, we are all affected,” Mukunji declared. He emphasized that the abduction was an attempt to instill fear in the public, but that the people would not be intimidated. “We are stronger now. We will fight for justice and the rule of law,” he added.
Billy’s case is part of a larger pattern of abductions. Three other youths—Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Rony Kiplangat—were also released on Monday after being abducted in December 2024. However, the family of Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull, is still waiting for news of his whereabouts after his abduction on December 24, 2024.
The growing number of abductions and the public outcry against them has raised serious concerns about human rights and government overreach in Kenya. Mukunji’s vow to stand firm in the fight against such unlawful tactics offers hope for future reforms.
