At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in August 2020, David Taitumu, a businessman in Mombasa, was reportedly abducted near the regional police headquarters in the coastal city—never to be seen again.
On Thursday this week, the family, which has been living in anguish for lack of closure, held a prayer service at their home in Lukununu, Igembe North, Meru County, to seek divine intervention.
Not even visits to the office of the Director of Criminal Investigations in Nairobi, questions raised by the Security Committee on the floor of the National Assembly, and an ongoing inquest have yielded any results on the whereabouts of Taitumu.
On the afternoon of August 14, 2020, Taitumu had informed his wife, Regina Karimi that he was not feeling well and was to visit Pandya Hospital for a check-up.
As was his norm, he was to pass by his usual khat-chewing joint for a chat with friends as they whiled the evening away.
Karimi recounts that due to the Covid-19 night-time curfew that was in place, they expected him back home before 9pm.
"When he did not come back past 9 pm, I started calling and imagined that he had been arrested for violating the curfew. We did not sleep the whole night trying to reach him. His phone went unanswered," Karimi recounts.
Regina Karimi, wife to David Taitumu, a Mombasa based businessman who went missing in 2020.
Photo credit: David Muchui| Nation Media Group
The following day, she was joined by his brothers in the search at police stations in Mombasa.
"During the search, we established that he had been at Pandya Hospital at 4 pm but only stayed there for 30 minutes," she says.
Ms Karimi wonders what could have led to the abduction of her husband since he has never been in conflict with the law.
"My husband was a hardworking businessman and responsible father. He was involved in legitimate business and has never been arrested before this incident. Why is the government keeping me in the dark?" a teary Karimi ponders.
According to Phineas Kirimi, brother to the missing man, they would later find Taitumu's abandoned vehicle with a broken driver's door window.
"The information we got from eyewitnesses is that my brother was blocked by six vehicles which were trailing him. He locked himself in and refused to come out. Armed men broke the driver’s window and bundled him in a boot," Mr Kirimi says.
He says the car was then driven away from the scene and parked near a khat-chewing joint where Taitumu frequented.
"When we found the car, we noted that it was parked away from where the shattered door window glass was scattered," he says.
Kirimi says the police launched investigations but noted there was reluctance by investigators to update them on progress.
"The police promised to collect all information including fingerprints, call logs, and CCTV footage to aid in tracing our brother. But to date, we have never been informed whether there are any leads," Mr Kirimi explains.
After two months of fruitless pursuit with the police, Kirimi says the family sought assistance from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
"The ODPP directed that an inquiry into the missing person be opened. The inquiry has been going on in court for the last three years. The inquiry has not moved much for the last two years,” he said.
Out of the uncertainty and anxiety of the loss of their loved one, the family members say they are suffering emotionally.
Mr Ntotene Kuciana, father to Taitumu, said his health has deteriorated since his son went missing.
"Irrespective of my age, the stress and mental anguish that came with the abduction of my son has adversely affected my health. I was diagnosed with diabetes and developed eye problems. I cry every time I remember my industrious son," Mr Kuciana says.
"Why can't the government help me know where my son is? It is very painful for a child to vanish without trace. I demand justice," he says.
Ms Sylvia Kagendo, daughter to Taitumu, said they have been expecting their father to appear for the last five years.
"As we hold prayers today to mark the day our father disappeared, we are hoping for answers from the government. We are emotionally broken and in need of closure. It is unfortunate that the inquest is not resolving the puzzle," Kagendo says.
Theirs is a cry for the government to shed light on Taitumu's disappearance and whereabouts—dead or alive.
