Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, has detailed the harrowing experience of his son’s abduction and eventual release. The incident, which occurred on June 22, 2024, unfolded when his son, Leslie Muturi, was kidnapped by armed assailants in Nairobi.
The abduction happened as Leslie, accompanied by Hon. Mark Mwenje and Marangu Imanyara, was leaving a birthday party in Lavington. According to Muturi, a white Prado blocked Leslie’s vehicle, and hooded individuals armed with AK-47 rifles forced him out of the car and drove off. The incident left Leslie’s wife, Wairimu, distressed as efforts to contact him failed.
Muturi sprang into action, reaching out to key figures, including Inspector General Japhet Koome, Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, and other senior officials. Despite these efforts, early searches across police stations yielded no results. CCTV footage obtained later revealed Leslie being trailed by another vehicle, often associated with security personnel.
As anxiety grew, Muturi received conflicting information from different agencies, with some suggesting it was a carjacking and others denying any official operation. A turning point came when an NIS officer informed him that Leslie was in their custody. Despite this, initial attempts to confirm the information with higher authorities, including Prof. Kithure Kindiki, proved unfruitful.
Muturi drove to State House to personally seek the President’s intervention. After explaining the ordeal, President William Ruto instructed NIS Director Noordin Haji to release Leslie immediately. Within an hour, Leslie was safely home, bringing an end to the tense 16-hour search.
The incident has raised significant concerns about the lack of transparency within security agencies and their potential misuse of resources. Muturi’s persistence and access to senior officials were pivotal in resolving the matter, sparking questions about how ordinary citizens might fare in similar circumstances.
While Leslie’s safe return is a relief, the case underscores the need for accountability and better coordination among Kenya’s law enforcement agencies to ensure such incidents are handled swiftly and transparently.