Tragedy in Kenya
IJM EXISTS TO PROTECT THE POOR FROM VIOLENCE, AND WILLIE KIMANI’S LIFE WAS TAKEN WHILE COURAGEOUSLY PURSUING THAT MISSION.
—GARY HAUGEN, CEO of International Justice Mission
On Friday, July 1, 2016: it is with deep mourning that we are announcing the deaths of IJM staff member, Willie Kimani, IJM client, Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri. They were killed following their abduction in Nairobi.
Their bodies were found northeast of Nairobi on July 1, after an extensive search led by Kenyan police and IJM staff. The group went missing on Thursday, June 23, as they were returning to their homes following a court hearing.
No arrests have been made.
A MESSAGE FROM GARY HAUGEN, FOUNDER AND CEO
We are deeply mourning the loss of our colleague, Willie, our client Josephat, and taxi driver, Joseph. We strongly condemn the perpetrators of these murders and the horrific violence inflicted upon these men. IJM exists to protect the poor from violence, and Willie's life was taken while courageously pursuing that mission.
As we work to provide comfort and support for the families of Willie, Josephat and Joseph, we are grateful to the U.S. Embassy, the local Kenyan police, and our partners globally and on the ground who responded swiftly and professionally to our requests for help.
We are deeply grateful to our colleagues on the ground who bravely worked in dangerous conditions to try to locate these men, and we are as committed as ever to our IJM Kenya team and to their struggle for justice in their nation. We will seek justice for Willie, Josephat, and Joseph, and will not cease in pursuit of this case until that end is secured.
-Gary Haugen, IJM CEO
MOVING FORWARD: SEEKING JUSTICE
We continue to work closely with Kenyan local and national law enforcement officials who are leading the ongoing investigation. Within hours of learning of the incident, IJM leadership activated crisis response teams in Nairobi as well as Washington, DC, to work closely with police officials on the ground and to support the families involved.
IJM’s focus moving forward is to ensure the safety of the families and staff affected by this crime and provide necessary support to law enforcement officials during this critical time.
Thank you for using your voice. Please pray with us for the families and staff whose lives have been touched by this crime. Let us continue to seek justice together.