Business and transport operations in Embu Town were paralysed on Friday, December 27, after massive demonstrations erupted over the alleged abduction of social media influencer Billy Mwangi.

Pictures and videos showed the residents holding placards, blowing whistles, and shouting as they protested over Billy’s abduction. Billy was allegedly kidnapped on Saturday, December 21, at a barbershop in Embu.

The residents, in solidarity with the business community where Billy’s parents are notable figures, brought the county’s activities to a standstill while demanding his whereabouts be made public.

In the developing event, youths were also seen lighting bonfires and blocking roads leading to some businesses being closed down as tensions arose.

Billy was allegedly abducted by individuals believed to be officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after posting AI-generated images on social media considered distasteful to government leaders. However, since his alleged abduction, his whereabouts have remained unknown.

Billy was one of three individuals allegedly abducted over the posting of such images with the others being Bernard Kavuli and Peter Matuti. Just like Billy, the whereabouts of Bernard and Peter remain unknown close to a week after their abduction. 

The abductions of the three have caused much public uproar online with notable politicians such as Raila Odinga condemning the abductions.

Initially, the residents demanded the immediate release of Billy and gave the state an ultimatum of 12 hours before protests kicked off.   

The protests come after Manyatta Member of Parliament (MP) Gitonga Mukunji led leaders from Embu in demanding the release of Billy condemning State organs for using extrajudicial means in the name of upholding the rule of law.

While calling for his release, Mukunji warned of dire consequences in the event Billy was released while harmed or if he was not released at all. 

“We expect the organs of law to produce Bill unharmed and alive. If under any circumstance he is produced when he is harmed or not alive, we are going to stop everything in Embu. We are going to call demonstrations, we are going to close government offices because we cannot continue with the order of the day of losing our young people,” Gitonga averred on December 24. 

Gitonga stressed upon the government to follow the line of the law and lead from the front when it came to matters of upholding the Constitution.

“Whatever mistake, whatever issue, that could have happened which should take the line of the law, we expect the government to be the people who are supposed to ensure that our people are safe. Whether you are guilty or not guilty,” Gitonga added.

Meanwhile, the police through Inspector General Douglas Kanja distanced themselves from any involvement in the abductions claiming that there was no police station holding any of the abducted individuals. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees,” IG Kanja stated.