“I left the detention room naked. People thought I was a madman.”
Those are the words of Elijah Odimma, who alleges that what began as a routine assignment for a businessman ended with him being abducted, tortured, and unlawfully detained in a room at a house in Nyali, Mombasa.
Mr Odimma says he escaped from the detention room naked, and was later assisted by beach boys who clothed him and escorted him to Nyali Police Station, where he recorded a statement on June 15 2026.
Now, through his advocate, he is demanding justice. In a letter to the police, his lawyers have called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the businessman who hired him and an alleged accomplice over allegations of abduction, torture, assault, unlawful confinement, and destruction of property.
The letter was copied to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, senior police officers in Mombasa, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
A police officer involved in the investigations confirmed that the investigation file has since been forwarded to the ODPP’s Mombasa office for directions.
The alleged incident allegedly occurred on June 15 2026, when Mr Odimma reported to a worksite where he had been engaged to undertake electrical installation works at a hotel in Mombasa. According to him, he had arrived at the site that morning when he was confronted by the businessman, who was accompanied by three other men.
“The four men forcibly bundled me into a vehicle and drove me to a house along the beachfront in Nyali,” he told the Nation.
Upon arrival, Mr Odimma said, he was stripped naked, his hands tied with electrical cables and subjected to prolonged beatings and torture. He alleged that he was repeatedly beaten with pipes and wooden canes from about 10.00 am until 3.00 pm.
During the ordeal, he said, his Samsung S34 mobile phone was confiscated and smashed into pieces, an action, he believes, was intended to prevent him from communicating with anyone or seeking help.
Odimma says he was stripped naked and hands tied, before being subjected to prolonged beatings and torture.
Mr Odimma said he was subsequently locked in a room against his will but managed to escape and fled towards the beach.
“I was naked when I emerged from the premises. Some people who saw me apparently mistook me for a mentally ill person,” he said.
A beach attendant later came to his aid, provided him with clothes and helped him make his way to Nyali Police Station, where he reported the incident.
Police officers visited the premises and recovered several items allegedly connected to the incident, including broken pieces of his mobile phone, according to his lawyers. He was later issued with a P3 Form, which was completed by a medical practitioner and returned to the police station.
The matter was assigned to two officers who, according to Mr Odimma, assured him that those allegedly involved would be arrested and taken to court.
However, his lawyers say that although one suspect was arrested and later released on cash bail, the other suspects remain at large.
Mr Odimma also alleges that he has repeatedly been pressured and intimidated to accept Sh50,000 and withdraw his complaint, proposals he says he has rejected.
The matter took another turn on June 25 2026, when he was summoned to the police station and informed that a complaint had been lodged against him over alleged missing snake lights at the construction site.
He denies the allegation, saying he believes the complaint was malicious and intended to intimidate him, undermine his complaint and divert attention from the alleged offences committed against him.
In their letter, his lawyers argue that the circumstances outlined by their client disclose offences that go beyond ordinary assault, including torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, unlawful confinement and malicious damage to property.
"The alleged conduct violated Mr Odimma’s constitutional rights, including his right to human dignity, freedom and security of the person, and freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," they said in the letter.
They also contend that the alleged conduct falls within the definition of torture under the Prevention of Torture Act, 2017, and that the destruction of his mobile phone formed part of a broader attempt to intimidate and isolate their client.
The lawyers have consequently demanded the immediate arrest of all suspects allegedly involved in the abduction, torture, assault, unlawful confinement, and intimidation of their client.
They have also demanded that the police protect their client from intimidation, coercion, harassment or pressure to withdraw his complaint. The advocates have given the authorities seven days from the date of their letter to take what they describe as decisive action.
Elijah Odimma speaks about his alleged abduction, torture and unlawful confinement after being hired to undertake electrical works at a hotel in Mombasa in this photo taken on August 20, 2026.
Photo credit: Brian Ocharo | Nation
“Failure to do so, we have instructions to institute appropriate legal proceedings, including judicial review and constitutional proceedings, seeking orders compelling the arrest and prosecution of all suspects,” they said.
Attempts to reach the businessman were unsuccessful. He neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to his phone.
According to Mr Odimma’s lawyers, he was engaged by the businessman to undertake electrical installation works at a hotel in Mombasa.
The arrangement was that the businessman would pay suppliers directly through the bank for all materials required for the project, while Odimma’s role was limited to collecting the materials and carrying out the electrical works at the site.
Mr Odimma said he did not at any time receive money from the businessman to purchase materials and regularly updated him on the progress of the work, with no complaint, concern or query raised about his performance.
Centre for Litigation Trust Executive Director Julius Ogogoh condemned the incident and urged the police to expedite investigations.
“Allegations of torture and abduction are serious and should be handled properly. Let the boy receive justice,” he said.
He also called on relevant agencies to take action against those who mistreat workers and ensure workers' rights are respected.
