Three families in Lamu are demanding answers from the government following the mysterious disappearance of their loved ones in separate incidents over the past three months.
The families of Mohamed Obo, 41, Ismail Barow Nunow, 47, and Musa Ahmed Daudi, 44, have undergone a traumatic experience since the three men who are friends and businessmen disappeared from Kiunga Town on the Kenya–Somalia border.
Their abductions, believed to have been orchestrated by security agencies, occurred on almost the same dates in September, October, and November. The most recent case is that of Musa, a renowned fisherman who specialises in diving for lobsters and prawns.
Musa Ahmed Daudi was abducted by armed men in Kiunga town on the Kenya-Somalia border on November 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The father of two also works as a hotelier in Kiunga and is said to have been forcibly taken while chewing khat within the town by heavily armed and hooded men at around 8.30pm on Sunday, November 9.
His elder brother, Muhammad Daudi, said they have not heard from him since. Mr Daudi added that they are frustrated after visiting almost all police stations in Kiunga and Lamu without tracing his younger brother.
“His phone was switched off shortly after the abduction. Since then, Musa can’t be reached. We don’t know whether those who took him are security agents or terrorists. Is he safe wherever he is? These are the unanswered questions that keep lingering in our minds and giving us sleepless nights,” said Mr Daudi.
He described his brother as a jovial person who has never had issues or confrontations with anyone, including security agencies.
“My brother is always hard working. If he isn’t at sea doing fishing, you’ll spot him at his hotel joint, either supervising or serving dishes to customers. He is a law-abiding citizen. Let the government help us trace his whereabouts,” he said.
For the family of 47-year-old Ismail Barow Nunow, the worry about their kin’s mysterious abduction a month ago is overwhelming. The father of four was taken from the veranda of his house in the Kashmir area of Kiunga Town while chewing miraa on October 11, around 12:30am.
Ismail Barow Nunow, a father of four who was abducted at his miraa base in Kiunga town on October 11, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
Mr Nunow is a well-known miraa supplier in Kiunga. His wife, Luul Suleiman Yusuf, believes those who abducted and whisked her husband away that morning were security officers, saying they were heavily armed, wore uniforms, and used a government vehicle.
Ms Suleiman says she made a missing person’s report at the Kiunga Police Station days after the incident. A month later, she is frustrated that she has never been updated on any progress concerning her husband’s disappearance.
“I have lived with my husband for nine good years. He has never been arrested over any crime-related matters. He is always busy with his miraa business and taking care of our family. I urge the government to help me unearth my husband’s whereabouts,” said Ms Suleiman.
She said her husband’s absence has been psychologically tormenting for her and the children. Ms Suleiman admitted having to lie to her four young sons about their father’s whereabouts.
“They are too inquisitive, wanting to know exactly where their dad is. They were very close to their father. Sometimes I am forced to call someone on phone and plan that he pretends to be my husband,” she said.
“The moment the kids start talking to this man, they ‘re able to realise it’s not actually their dad. They know their dad’s voice. For the past one month, I’ve lied to them that their father is in Mombasa but will come soon. Still, they can’t believe it. It’s really frustrating me,” she added.
The family now wants the government to ensure Mr Nunow is presented in court if he has committed any crime.
“Those who took my husband are security agents. Our appeal is for them to produce him whether alive or dead. If he has committed any crime, produce him in court and charge him. If they executed him, let them tell us so that we can find closure. We’re traumatised,” said Ms Suleiman.
For the family of Mohamed Obo, 41, this is now the third month of searching for their kin with no success.
Mr Obo, a resident of Lamu Island and a renowned fisherman, fish trader and coxswain, was abducted from his house in Kiunga Town by men believed to be security officers on September 12, around 8:30pm. He was chewing khat with a friend at the time. His wife, Tima Hassan, was also present.
Mohamed Obo, the father of seven who was abducted by heavily armed men in his house in Kiunga town on September12, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The heavily armed and masked abductors overpowered the family, beating and knocking down the friend before locking Obo’s wife in a room. They then whisked Obo away and bundled him into a vehicle parked a few metres from the house before vanishing to an unknown destination.
His elder brother, Mr Ali Omar, said they have spent three months visiting police stations in Kiunga, Faza, Kizingitini, Lamu Town, Mokowe, Hindi, Mpeketoni and Witu, as well as other areas across the Coast and beyond, without success.
They also visited hospitals and mortuaries, but Obo has not been found. Mr Obo is a father of seven children and two wives.
“All these are suffering. Obo was the sole breadwinner. If they arrested my brother for any crime committed, I think the investigation period is over. It takes between 14 to 60 days only before a suspect is brought to court and charged. Why don’t they present my brother to court? It’s three months now and the silence continues. We’re worried,” said Mr Ali.
Human rights activists questioned why enforced disappearances continue to occur, particularly by Kenyan authorities, despite the many reforms the country has undergone since independence.
Haki Africa Chief Executive Officer Yusuf Aboubakar said it is a breach of the rule of law for security agencies to abduct citizens, even if they are suspects, and fail to present them in court within the stipulated 24 hours. Mr Aboubakar said the manner in which Obo, Nunow and Musa were taken suggests police or military involvement.
He said that despite numerous efforts to report the cases to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa), the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and the office of the Inspector General, nothing tangible has been done.
“We shall move to court next week to demand immediate release of these three Kiunga residents. Let them be presented in court if they’re suspected of any crime rather than holding them hostage just like that,” said Mr Aboubaar.
Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma noted that cases of kidnappings of innocent citizens allegedly by security agencies are still rife in Lamu. Mr Auma said his organisation will continue to document all cases to ensure accountability.
“The problem is that the focus had been shifted to Nairobi where enforced disappearances have been rife owing to the Gen Z campaign. But enforced disappearance is still a challenge in Lamu. We’re also following it up and we shall take action just to ensure all affected families get justice,” said Mr Auma.
However, Lamu East Deputy County Commissioner Philip Muoki dismissed any security involvement in the abductions in Kiunga Town.
“Security officers in Kenya do not abduct Kenyan citizens. Where there’s a good reason, a citizen is arrested and booked to a police station. All cases of missing persons are being handled by the DCI. So far I’ve not gotten any feedback on the same,” said Mr Muoki.
