Mathare politician Joel Kariuki missing after alleged abduction by men posing as police
via Tuko2 min read
Joel Kariuki, a Mathare businessman and politician, has been reported missing since Thursday, June 18, after allegedly being abducted by individuals claiming to be police officers. His wife, Peris Wambui, stated that Kariuki was intercepted and taken while leaving one of their businesses. Residents of Mathare protested the alleged abduction, demanding Kariuki's immediate release or appearance in court. Their searches at various police stations, including Muthaiga, Pangani, and the DCI headquarters, have been unsuccessful. During the protests, police used teargas to disperse demonstrators. Kariuki's sister, Faith Wambui, described the emotional distress caused by his disappearance, while another resident referenced President William Ruto's 2022 election manifesto to end abductions.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has assured the public of comprehensive security measures across Kenya ahead of the June 25 commemorative demonstrations. These protests are planned to honor victims of anti-government demonstrations in 2024 and 2025. Speaking in Mombasa, Lagat emphasized that while police will respect the constitutional right to picket, they will have a zero-tolerance policy towards lawlessness. He warned that any transition from peaceful picketing to vandalism would trigger an immediate law enforcement response. A key focus of the security strategy is preventing organized criminal gangs from infiltrating the demonstrations to loot businesses or assault protestors. Lagat stated that intelligence-led operations have been scaled up nationwide to dismantle these networks before June 25. He urged young people not to be manipulated into violence, declaring that the era of political thuggery is ending. Lagat concluded by reiterating that the public and business owners should proceed with their schedules without fear, as law enforcement remains vigilant to ensure peace.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has cautioned against lawlessness during the planned June 25 memorial protests, stating that security agencies will not tolerate chaos. While acknowledging the right to demonstrate, Lagat emphasized that police will protect businesses and citizens, and anyone causing disorder will be arrested. The protests, spearheaded by Siaya governor James Orengo and other opposition leaders, aim to commemorate the anti-tax demonstrations of 2024. Orengo has called for a "total shutdown" on June 25, urging Kenyans to march to Parliament and participate in vigils across all 47 counties, declaring "no work, no school." Conversely, the Orange Democratic Movement ODM party, led by national chairperson and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, has urged its supporters to avoid the protests, stating that the current government has addressed many of their previous concerns. President William Ruto has also criticized calls for a shutdown, emphasizing that Kenya is governed by law and that ventures leading to anarchy will not be tolerated. He affirmed citizens' right to petition but stressed that children must attend school, farmers must farm, and businesses must operate, vowing that the state will not allow chaos to disrupt productivity or destroy property.
Must ReadHealth officials in Kenya are concerned about a resurgence of syphilis in urban centers, transport corridors, and vulnerable rural communities, despite overall national progress in controlling its spread. Data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council NSDCC indicates that while national infection rates have declined, several counties are experiencing increasing or persistently high case numbers. Nairobi recorded the highest number of cases in 2025 with 1,068, while Homa Bay showed a higher positivity rate of 1.4%. Uasin Gishu and Machakos have been identified as resurgence zones due to sharp increases in infections. Medical experts warn that untreated syphilis can lead to severe complications, especially for pregnant women and their unborn children. Public health officials have identified individuals with multiple sexual partners and pregnant women who do not attend antenatal clinics as particularly vulnerable. Challenges include long distances to health facilities, stigma, and shortages of testing kits. However, targeted interventions in counties like Turkana, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Narok have shown success in reducing cases. To strengthen the fight, the Ministry of Health and the NSDCC launched the Kenya AIDS Integration Strategic Framework KAISF 2025-2030, which aims to integrate syphilis management with services for HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, with a goal to bring national syphilis prevalence at antenatal care clinics to below one percent by 2030.