Family demands release of herder abducted from his Garissa home

Zakaria Yussuf, a family member and spokesperson speaking to the press in Garissa town on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The family of a 57-year-old Garissa herder who was abducted from his homestead in Hulugho is demanding for his immediate release.

Siyad Abdi Omar has not been seen since September 27 when people believed to be security officers  stormed his home in Sarira sub-location in El Kambere and took him away.

Siyad is married to three wives and has nine children.

His relatives who spoke to the media at a family member’s home in Bula Muzuri, Garissa town, on Wednesday, said they were still desperately searching for their kin.

Family spokesman Zakaria Yussuf said Siyad was abducted at around midday by security officers who arrived at his homestead in six vehicles. The officers asked for him. 

“They came in six vehicles, firing shots in the air, and scaring everyone at home. He was out herding his goats, but they waited for him. When he returned around 1 pm, they blindfolded him and whisked him away,” Yussuf said.

He said the family had made inquiries in different places but had received conflicting information.

“Some people say he remained within Hulugho, while others claim he was transferred to another location. We simply do not know,” he said.

The family said those who took Siyad were identified by residents as security personnel because of the uniforms they wore and the vehicles they were using.

The family has also raised concern over what it described as difficulties in reporting the disappearance to police.

Yussuf said elders went to Hulugho Police Post to report the matter but were allegedly turned away without being issued with an Occurrence Book number.

He said the family later faced a similar problem when seeking to report the matter at the Garissa Police Station.

“What we are asking the government is not a favour. We are demanding the release and safe return of our family member because it is our legal right,” Yussuf said.

“If there is something the authorities suspect him of, let them come out and tell us. They can say they are investigating him and explain where the matter has been reported. We are not getting any information at all,” Yussuf said.

The family has appealed to national and local leaders to intervene.

Yussuf said the uncertainty had caused the family immense distress, particularly because they did not know whether Siyad was alive, injured or being held somewhere in detention.

“We are Muslims. If somebody dies, we accept it, mourn and move on. But the fate of our family member remains unknown,” he said.

The family also claimed that another relative, Ahmed Noor, had been missing for almost two years after he was allegedly picked up in Garissa town at night.

Yussuf said the family had previously been told that Noor was in Nairobi and would eventually be released, but they had never established his whereabouts.

“It is the same family — two people are missing, and we do not know whether they are dead or alive,” he said.

Garissa Human Rights Network Muktar Dahir Osman called on the government and security agencies to account for Siyad.

“We want to know whether Siyad has committed any offence. We are governed by the rule of law, and if Siyad Abdi Omar has committed any offence, he should be taken to court and his family informed,” Osman said.

He said the circumstances surrounding the disappearance were particularly concerning because he was abducted in broad daylight.

Osman called on whichever security agency may have information about Siyad to disclose his whereabouts and ensure that he is accorded his constitutional rights.

“It is very unfortunate that our own government and security agencies are picking up people day and night. This trend is causing families a lot of pain, and we are saying that this cannot continue,” he said

“The president himself has repeatedly assured Kenyans that extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearances and abductions will be a thing of the past, but we continue to witness the same.” 

Noor Bashir, a member of the Garissa Human Rights Defenders Network, said the incident had renewed concerns over alleged abductions and disappearances reported in border areas.

Bashir said security agencies had a duty to protect citizens but should also follow the law when arresting people suspected of wrongdoing.

“If somebody is suspected of involvement in any wrongdoing, there is a legal procedure that should be followed. The person should be arrested and booked at the nearest police station and, where necessary, taken to court,” he said.

He urged the authorities to establish Siyad’s whereabouts and ensure that his case, if there is one, is handled through established legal procedures.

The incident comes against the backdrop of a long-running history of complaints about disappearances and alleged abuses by security agencies in parts of northern and northeastern Kenya.

President William Ruto has previously addressed the controversy surrounding alleged abductions and disappearances.

Recently, the president acknowledged concerns over people disappearing during protests and said there should be no justification for illegal arrests or actions that threaten citizens’ lives and liberty.

The President urged Kenyans with information on cases involving suspected police officers to report them to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

The latest case has therefore placed renewed focus on the relationship between security operations and the rights of residents in border communities such as Hulugho, where security agencies operate in an area affected by the threat of Al-Shabaab.

Siyad Abdi Omar, who has been missing since 27th September./courtesy.

Muktar Dahir Osman, the Garissa Human Rights Network chairman speaking to the press. He was flanked by Siyad’s family members. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Noor Bashir, a member of the Garissa Human Rights Defenders Network./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Family members of Siyad Abdi Omar during the press briefing. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Mohamed Abass, an elder speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO Rashid Siyad, an elder speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Abdi Hussein, an elder speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO