The family of a missing man, Hassan Kiptoo Kipchumba, has appealed for information regarding his whereabouts after he was reportedly taken into custody by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at Savanna Club in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet, on the night of Tuesday, 23rd September 2025.
According to his brother, Kipkemoi Evans, eyewitnesses say that during the arrest, the officers used force that left Hassan injured, blindfolded him, and fired several gunshots into the air to disperse bystanders before taking him away, raising alarm among local residents.
The following day, attempts by family members to locate him at Tot Police Station, just a few meters from the scene, reportedly proved futile, with officers denying that Hassan was in their custody.
The family claims that fear has prevented other locals from intervening, noting that at least three youths previously detained by the same unit have not been seen again. Kipkemoi Evans, who works in Nairobi, said he has been warned against attempting direct inquiries for fear of reprisal or possible detention.
After repeated efforts, the family submitted a report to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) under Complaint ID IPOA/CMU/003439/2025.
On 28th September, a missing person report was recorded at Tot Police Station under OB No. 10/28/09/2025 at 16:20 hours by PC Mureithi, who allegedly told the family that Hassan had died during a DCI operation.
When the family returned the following day, another officer reportedly contradicted this statement, claiming there was no knowledge of Hassan’s status.
The family has expressed deep distress and maintained that, whether Hassan is alive or deceased, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance require clarity, underscoring the need for proper and lawful investigative procedures.
Constant efforts to seek support from the Kenya Human Rights Commission reportedly directed them back to the police, who continue to deny responsibility.
Hassan Kiptoo Kipchumba, who had been living in Lodwar and operating a local kinyozi, had only travelled to Tot in May, an event he shared on social media.
The family continues to call on authorities to investigate his disappearance and provide information on his current status.
“Hi Nyakundi. My name is Kipkemoi Evans. I am reaching out regarding the disappearance of my brother, Hassan Kiptoo Kipchumba, following his arrest by DCI officers. On the night (11 pm) of Tuesday, 23rd September 2025, he was arrested at Savanna Club, Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet. Witnesses reported that the officers used excessive force, wounding him badly, blindfolding him, and firing several gunshots in the air to disperse the crowd before taking him away. The following day, our aunt went to check at Tot Police Station (just a few meters from where the arrest happened), but officers there denied having him in custody. Locals are too afraid to follow up, as at least three other youths previously taken by the same DCI officers have never been seen again. I work in Nairobi, and I have been warned that if I try to follow up directly, I risk arrest and disappearance as well. Nevertheless, I reported the case to IPOA under Complaint ID IPOA/CMU/003439/2025. My mother and sister travelled from Lodwar to Tot, and on 28th September 2025, the case was finally recorded as a missing person report under OB No. 10/28/09/2025 at 16:20 hrs by PC Mureithi. Shockingly, PC Mureithi admitted to them that my brother had been killed during a DCI operation (“amechinjwa na ametupwa”). However, when they returned the following day, a different officer claimed that Mureithi had lied and that they had no information. We are deeply distressed and desperate for help. Whether my brother is alive or dead, we need to know the truth. Even if he were suspected of any crime, there should be lawful and transparent justice processes, not abduction and extrajudicial killings. We have reached out to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, but they redirected us back to the police, who continue to deny responsibility. My brother was living in Lodwar, running a kinyozi, and had only travelled to Tot in May something he even posted about on his Facebook wall.”
