Missing Activist Collins Otieno Found Dumped Along Thika Road, Rushed to Hospital

Missing Activist Collins Otieno Found Dumped Along Thika Road, Rushed to Hospital

Human rights activist Collins Otieno has been found alive after reportedly disappearing in Nairobi while trying to help locate fellow activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti.

Otieno was discovered along Thika Road in the early hours of Saturday, September 26, days after he was among activists arrested during protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid announced the development, saying Otieno was found at about 4:30am after apparently being left along the busy highway.

According to Khalid, a boda boda rider who came across the activist helped take him to hospital for medical attention.

“Comrade Collins Otieno has been found. He was dumped along Thika Road. A good Samaritan boda boda guy found him around 4.30am and rushed him to hospital.”

Khalid said Otieno was in a weak and disoriented condition and had sustained injuries. He was taken to Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital in the Kasarani area, where he was receiving treatment.

“Like comrade Muteti, Collins is disoriented, weak, and injured. He is presently at Neema Uhai Hospital around Kasarani receiving treatment.”

The circumstances surrounding Otieno’s disappearance and how he ended up along Thika Road had not been established at the time of the update.

His recovery came a day after fellow activist Muteti was also found alive following several days of uncertainty over his whereabouts.

Muteti had reportedly disappeared on Monday, September 21, after leaving fellow protesters in Nairobi’s CBD to print a petition. He was later found in the Lukenya area of Machakos County early Friday morning.

Khalid said Muteti was also in a weak and disoriented state when he was found and was taken to Sanel Hospital in Mlolongo for treatment.

Otieno had reportedly been trying to establish Muteti’s whereabouts and seek assistance after his colleague disappeared. He was subsequently reported missing, prompting fellow activists to raise the alarm and demand answers.

The two incidents have attracted renewed attention to the safety of activists involved in demonstrations and human rights advocacy.

Otieno and Muteti were among activists who participated in Monday’s Nairobi protests calling for the release of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

Several activists were arrested during the demonstration, which focused on questions surrounding Besigye’s disappearance from Nairobi in November 2024 and his subsequent appearance in Uganda.

The protesters have demanded that the Kenyan government explain the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s reported transfer from Kenya to Uganda and establish whether Kenyan security officers were involved.

The protests also came amid developments in Besigye’s legal case in Uganda. The veteran opposition leader is facing treason-related charges before the High Court in Kampala, which he has denied.

The case has attracted further attention following testimony alleging that Kenyan police planted firearms and suspected counterfeit currency in a Nairobi apartment linked to the investigation. Those allegations have been made in court and remain subject to the judicial process.

Meanwhile, the discovery of Otieno and Muteti has provided relief to their families and colleagues, but questions remain about what happened to the two activists during the periods they were missing.

No details had been provided on whether any person had been arrested or investigated in connection with Otieno’s disappearance.

Human rights groups and fellow activists are expected to continue seeking answers as Otieno recovers in hospital.

The latest development has also renewed calls for authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the disappearances and ensure the safety of people participating in lawful protests and human rights activities.

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Missing Activist Collins Otieno Found Dumped Along Thika Road, Rushed to Hospital