NPS Responds to Enforced Disappearance Claims, Calls for Formal Reporting

The National Police Service (NPS) has moved to address mounting public concern over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture, urging victims, relatives, and witnesses to formally report such cases to enable investigations.

In a statement issued on Sunday, police acknowledged the growing claims circulating on mainstream and social media, saying the allegations are being taken seriously. The response comes amid heightened public scrutiny following recent protests and increasing demands from civil society groups for accountability over missing persons.

While the statement does not directly respond to specific accusations made against police officers or security agencies, it marks the first official acknowledgement by the NPS that the allegations have become significant enough to warrant a public response. The Service has appealed to members of the public with information on enforced disappearances, torture, or other human rights violations to report the incidents at the nearest police station.

The police also confirmed that a missing person report involving Davis Lichuma has been recorded at Nairobi’s Central Police Station. However, the statement did not disclose the circumstances surrounding his disappearance or indicate whether investigators have established any links to the allegations circulating online.

The NPS has pledged that all reported cases will be investigated professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law. It further reiterated its commitment to upholding constitutional rights, observing due process, and maintaining professionalism in all its operations.

The statement is likely to draw mixed reactions. While it signals the police’s willingness to investigate reported cases, critics may question why the Service is asking the public to report incidents when several families and human rights organisations have previously claimed that cases of disappearances had already been documented. The effectiveness of the NPS response will ultimately depend on the speed, transparency, and credibility of the investigations that follow.

With public confidence in security agencies under intense scrutiny, the handling of the reported disappearance of Davis Lichuma and any future complaints will be closely watched as a test of the Service’s commitment to accountability and respect for human rights.