Wajir County is reeling from the tragic news of the death of Yusuf Hussein Ahmed, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Della Anole Ward. His body was discovered in the Lake Yahud area on Sunday, October 20, 2024, over a month after his disappearance. The discovery was confirmed by politician Idris Bulle Mohamed in a Facebook post, sparking widespread grief and outrage across the county.
Ahmed went missing on September 13, 2024, following an alleged abduction in Nairobi by unknown assailants. His body was recovered in a severely tortured and decomposed state, according to witnesses. Bulle’s post, which revealed that the family had identified the body, was filled with graphic details of the MCA’s condition, highlighting the extent of the brutality inflicted upon him.
“Body of the missing Della Ward MCA Yusuf Hussein found. Family to issue press conference shortly. The body has been brought to Wajir,” Bulle stated. In a subsequent post, he provided more gruesome details, noting that Ahmed’s nose and ears had been cut off, his eyes gouged out, and his face burned in an attempt to hide his identity. However, the family was able to recognize him due to a distinct missing finger.
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The discovery of Ahmed’s body brings a tragic end to over a month of uncertainty. His abduction, which occurred on Enterprise Road in Nairobi’s Makadara Constituency, had left both local leaders and his family desperately searching for answers. Eldas MP Adan Keynan had earlier called for the immediate release of Ahmed, terming his abduction a “flagrant breach” of legal and democratic principles. Despite efforts to locate him, including reports that he may have been found in Uriri Hospital in Migori County, the search ended in heartbreak.
The circumstances of the abduction remain unclear, and no group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the heinous act. Wajir locals flocked to a local morgue to witness the body, which reportedly bore signs of severe torture, including ruthless beatings and extensive burns. The abduction and subsequent murder of Ahmed have sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the rising trend of forced disappearances in Kenya.
Police have yet to issue an official statement on the case, leaving many questions unanswered. At the time of the abduction, the MCA was reportedly taken by assailants in a Landcruiser Prado, after which his whereabouts remained unknown for more than a month. Efforts by the family and local leaders to trace him yielded little information, and the situation has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Kenyans.
Incidents of abductions and disappearances have become alarmingly frequent in recent months, coinciding with anti-government protests across Nairobi. Human rights activists have voiced concerns over these disappearances, criticizing security agencies for their lack of transparency and slow response to such cases. Ahmed’s case, in particular, has drawn significant attention, with many demanding accountability for those responsible.
The High Court had earlier ordered the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to offer protection to a key witness in Ahmed’s abduction case. Justice Alexander Muteti directed that an updated report on the investigation be submitted by October 7. However, authorities have yet to provide critical evidence, such as CCTV footage from the scene of the abduction.
Local leaders, including MP Adan Keynan, have emphasized that the abduction and murder of Ahmed mark a dark chapter for Wajir County. “His abduction and murder are not just a violation of his rights but a blatant disregard for the rule of law,” Keynan stated.
