Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala recently shared CCTV footage that captures alleged abductors entering his home in Kajiado County.
The incident occurred late on September 23, 2024. Malala claims that individuals identifying themselves as members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) raided his residence and abducted his son and brother-in-law.
He believes this attack aimed to extract information about his whereabouts, suggesting a politically motivated harassment campaign against him.
Details of the Incident
CCTV Evidence: Malala posted footage showing a vehicle associated with the alleged abductors entering his compound. He made this evidence public on social media following the incident.
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Abduction and Torture: According to Malala, kidnappers took his son and brother-in-law at gunpoint. They tortured them for hours while demanding details about his location.
Eventually, they abandoned the two along Thika Road after failing to find him or his wife.
Emotional Impact: Malala described the emotional toll this ordeal inflicted on his family. The violent encounter caused significant distress.
Political Context
Malala’s claims arise amid his recent ousting from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. He served as Secretary General until August 2024.
His removal followed disputes within the party, where founding members pushed for his expulsion due to allegations of ineffective leadership.
This political turmoil may have intensified scrutiny and hostility toward him, especially given Kenya’s history of state-sanctioned violence against political opponents.
Consequently, this raises alarm about state agencies potentially targeting dissenting voices.
Human rights advocates and political analysts are closely monitoring these developments, particularly in light of President William Ruto’s earlier commitments to uphold democratic freedoms and protect citizens from state violence.
As Malala navigates this challenging experience, he remains aligned with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This alignment occurs amidst a politically charged environment fraught with challenges for opposition figures in Kenya.
