At the New Apostolic Church in Mumoni, Kitui County, the gathering burst into song and dance.

Then, they sank into fervent prayers to welcome Bernard Kavuli, one of the five abductees released on January 6.

Kavuli, along with his mother, elder sister and his lawyer, could even afford a smile, enjoying the warmth of the family, friends and neighbours after the 15-day ordeal in hands of his kidnappers.

“I want to thank God for bringing me home safely. I am happy to join my neighbours and relatives after a long suffering in captivity,” he said at the thanksgiving ceremony on Wednesday.

The young man narrated how he was grabbed at a petrol station in Ngong on December 22, 2024, and bundled into a car.

He recalled that in the car, he met Peter Muteti, another abductee who has also been released. The two were blindfolded and could not tell where they were being driven to.

Somewhere along the way, they were separated and Kavuli was dumped in what he described as a small, cold and dark room. Here, he was immediately shaved and left in solitude.

Terrified and not knowing what awaited him, he resorted to prayer, asking God to spare his life and reunite him with his family.

For the first five days, Kavuli was stripped naked and whipped twice a day – morning and in the evening – as the masked captors kept questioning him about his posts on his X account against the government.

“They would barge into the room and attack me with whips, slaps and blows, demanding to know why I was attacking the government. During the five days, I was given food and water on two days only,” he told the hushed gathering.

Shaken but still bold, the Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication student at the Mount Kenya University said he told his tormentors that it was within his rights and freedoms to correct the government where it was going wrong.

“They responded by telling me that it was also their duty to defend the government under whatever circumstances. They warned that even while criticising the government, we should have limits,” he recalled.

From here, Kavuli was transported to another desolate place where he was held for 10 days. He believes there were other people held there.

And on the day he was dumped in Moi’s Bridge in Uasin Gishu County, hundreds of kilometres away from Ngong, Kavuli recalls his captors’ chilling last words.

“They warned that they would be watching me and I should be careful and watch what I say about the government. They said that if they ever come for me again, they would use a bullet,” he said.

From the church, Kavuli, who has become a village sensation, was escorted by boda boda riders while atop an open car to the nearby Kalamba-muyo market.

Here, a packed crowd received him with jubilation and more song and dance.

His mother, Kalimi Kavuli, thanked their neighbours for joining her in prayer. “God has done His miracle. We are overjoyed to receive him back home.” 

Asked what she wanted done to her son’s tormentors, she responded: “I have nothing to say about them. God will know how to pay them because He knows people’s actions.”

Scholar Mwende, his sister, recalled how the mental torture took a toll on her. She called on the government to respect the rule of law.

“I cried and lost weight. Those two weeks were dark moments for us. Let them leave my brother alone,” she said. “It is better for a family to know that their relative is jailed than to go missing.”

Others who have since been released are Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull, Ronny Kiplagat, Peter Muteti and Billy Mwangi.

However, four friends; Steven Mbisi, Martin Mwau, Kalani Mwema and Justus Musyimi, who were abducted by armed, masked men in Mlolongo, Machakos, on December 16 and 17 last year are still missing.