THE Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has strongly criticised President William Ruto for denying knowledge of police abductions during recent anti-government protests, labelling his statements as a ‘blatant lie.’ The commission’s condemnation came in response to President Ruto’s remarks during a town hall session on Thursday, where he insisted that he was unaware of any such incidents.
In a statement, KHRC expressed deep concern over the president’s comments, pointing out that the commission has documented over 22 cases of abductions and 53 arbitrary arrests, including those of doctors and lawyers. ‘Others are in hiding due to threats on their lives by the police,’ the commission added.
‘President Ruto’s claim that he’s unaware of any Kenyan forcibly disappeared by security agents during anti-government protests is a blatant lie,’ KHRC asserted. The commission called for accountability on the International Day of the Disappeared, insisting that Ruto must answer for the enforced disappearances that occurred under his administration.
During the town hall meeting in Kisumu, western Kenya, President Ruto stated, ‘As I talk to you today, I don’t have a name of somebody who has been abducted or disappeared.’ He invited families of the missing to come forward with names, promising that his administration would take appropriate action.
KHRC responded by underscoring the numerous documented cases of forced disappearances and the ongoing suffering of the affected families. The commission urged the government to launch an independent investigation into the violations and take immediate steps to address them.
In addition to his denial of the abductions, President Ruto previously suggested that the Ford Foundation was involved in funding some of the protests that have shaken Kenya in recent months. This claim has sparked concerns among various stakeholders, including members of the diplomatic community.
The protests, which erupted in June and July 2024 in response to tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people, according to authorities. The Ruto administration has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of the protests, which also led to widespread property damage.
As the controversy continues, the KHRC and other human rights organisations are demanding transparency and accountability from the government, emphasising the need to protect citizens’ rights and ensure justice for those affected by the recent unrest.
