Bernard Kavuli, one of five abductees released on January 6, has bravely recounted the harrowing 15-day ordeal he endured at the hands of his captors.
Speaking during a triumphant homecoming in Kalamba Muyo, Mwingi North, Kitui County, Kavuli detailed the inhumane conditions he experienced while being held captive.
Accompanied by an outpouring of support from his community, Kavuli recounted his traumatic experiences in his native dialect.
“I was blindfolded and taken to a dark room where I was held naked for four to five days,” he explained. “They beat me day and night, denying me food. I only drank water for two days during my captivity.”
Kavuli was held in two locations, spending five days in one place and ten days in a forested area where he believed many others were similarly detained. “We were separated and locked in different rooms, but I interacted with other abductees, including Peter Muteti, another boy who was taken with me. I prayed to God for protection and for a safe return home,” he recalled.
Despite the brutal treatment, which saw him lose six kilograms, Kavuli also urged the public not to forget others still missing. “I call upon Kenyans to continue demanding the release of those who remain in captivity,” he said.
His lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, echoed his sentiments, urging for governmental action to ensure the release of other abductees. “There were approximately 30 people held in the second location; we implore the President to command their release,” Wambui stated.
Kavuli’s sister, Scholar Mwende, highlighted the family’s anguish, emphasizing the need for justice against the perpetrators. “If someone has committed a crime, they should face the proper consequences,” she urged.
