Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday after activists interrupted court proceedings in a case involving three alleged missing persons, demanding that authorities account for their whereabouts.
The activists, who had attended the proceedings in solidarity with the families of the missing men, repeatedly shouted "Justice!" inside the courtroom as Justice Alexander Muteti presided over the matter.
Some waved flags while chanting slogans, briefly disrupting the session as the court heard a habeas corpus application filed by the families.
Despite the commotion, Justice Muteti remained calm and composed, quietly continuing to write his directions as the courtroom atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
The confrontation erupted after lawyers representing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) informed the court that the trio was not in police custody.
Activist Julius Kamau is arrested by police at the Milimani High court during the hearing of the missing activists/EZEKIEL AMING'AAt one point, activist Julius Kamau dramatically removed his shirt inside the courtroom while protesting the response from the authorities.
His actions further disrupted the proceedings before police officers intervened and escorted him out of the court premises as other activists continued demanding justice for the missing men.
The case concerns the disappearance of Macmillan Kiarie Mugo, Evans Otieno and Michael Oloo, whose families have moved to the High Court seeking orders compelling the State to produce them in court.
The petitioners filed a habeas corpus application, arguing that the authorities should disclose the whereabouts of the missing men and secure their release if they are being held unlawfully.
During the proceedings, Justice Muteti issued fresh directions after noting that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin had failed to appear before him despite earlier court orders requiring them to explain the whereabouts of the missing persons.
The judge consequently summoned both Kanja and Amin to personally appear before the High Court on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Lawyer Paul Nyamodi, appearing for the Inspector General and the DCI Director, told the court that his clients were unable to attend because the orders requiring their personal appearance had been issued late, and they already had other official engagements to attend.
He nevertheless maintained the position that the three missing individuals were not in police custody.
The emotional weight of the case continued outside the courtroom after the proceedings ended.
Families of missing persons demand their production in court/EZEKIEL AMING'ABeatrice Wanjira, the mother of missing Macmillan Kiarie Mugo, broke down in tears at the end of proceedings and outside the Court precincts as relatives and supporters appealed for government intervention to help trace their loved ones.
Wanjira is among the petitioners who moved to court seeking habeas corpus orders compelling the authorities to account for the missing men.
Family members insisted they had exhausted all available avenues in searching for their relatives and were now looking to the judiciary to compel security agencies to disclose any information regarding their whereabouts.
Rose Opi(centre) breaks down in Milimani High Court because of his Missing husband for almost a month/EZEKIEL AMING'A
