Tears in court: Mbijiwe’s mother breaks down over missing son

Jane Gatwiri consoled by Mjibiwe's sister, who had accompanied her in court/JAMES GICHIGI 

An emotional moment unfolded in court on Wednesday as Jane Gatwiri, the mother of missing security analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe, broke down while testifying about her son’s disappearance.

Gatwiri became visibly overwhelmed at the witness stand shortly after cross-examination, weeping and leaning back in distress. Proceedings were briefly paused as her daughter, Mbijiwe’s sister, moved to comfort her.

The court was hearing testimony in a case concerning the circumstances surrounding Mbijiwe’s disappearance.

Earlier, Gatwiri told the court that on Saturday, June 12, 2021, her son had been travelling to Meru but never reached his destination.

She said she did not immediately report him missing, explaining that she initially believed he would return home safely.

She testified that when Mbijiwe failed to show up the following day, she went to Timau Police Station to report the matter.

However, she said officers informed her that she would need to wait 72 hours before a missing person report could be formally recorded.

Gatwiri further testified that investigations were later launched and that four individuals were identified as suspects in what she described as an abduction.

She told the court that the names were subsequently presented before a court.

She also testified that upon following up the matter at Kasarani Police Station, she was informed that the file had been closed by higher authorities.

The witness expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of communication from authorities, stating that she did not receive updates on the status of the investigations.

Gatwiri testified that when she later met Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohammed, he requested that the file be brought forward, noting that it contained substantial information which could assist the court.

She also alleged that investigators examined her son’s financial accounts and claimed that she was turned away when attempting to seek updates on the inquiry.

“They chased me, yet they were investigating his accounts,” Gatwiri told the court.

Additionally, she recounted what she described as an attack by armed men at her home. She testified that she reported the incident to Amin Mohammed, who advised her to lodge a formal complaint at a police station.

Gatwiri further alleged that Rigathi Gachagua had indicated that her son was being held in state detention. She told the court that their efforts to pursue the matter were later complicated by Gachagua’s impeachment.

State Counsel Paul Nyamodi, however, disputed the claims, telling the court that there was no evidence to support allegations of an abduction.

The hearing is scheduled to resume on February 18, 2026.