KENYAN President William Ruto has pledged to end the wave of abductions targeting government critics, a promise that follows mounting outrage over disappearances linked to his administration. Rights groups, lawyers, and activists have accused security forces of orchestrating illegal detentions, particularly since youth-led protests against Ruto’s government erupted in mid-2023.
Disappearances raise alarm
The recent spate of abductions has primarily targeted young men critical of Ruto, especially those active online. While police deny involvement, activists and the public remain sceptical, questioning the lack of investigations into these disappearances.
Human Rights Watch has pointed to a suspected covert unit drawn from multiple security agencies as being behind the detentions. The Law Society of Kenya has demanded immediate action, stating: ‘If the police are not complicit, they must investigate and prosecute those responsible.’
Ruto responds to criticism
Speaking in Homa Bay on Friday, Ruto acknowledged the issue, promising an end to the abductions. ‘We are going to stop the abductions so that our youth can live peacefully,’ AFP news agency reporting him as saying. However, he shifted some responsibility to families, urging parents to ‘take responsibility’ for their children’s actions.
In his annual State of the Nation address last month, Ruto condemned extrajudicial actions but defended some detentions as necessary against ‘criminals and subversive elements.’ Critics argue such rhetoric legitimises state overreach.
Public outcry escalates
The abductions have sparked protests in some areas, with Kenyans demanding accountability. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently alleged the existence of a shadowy unit responsible for the disappearances. ‘Abducting and killing children is not a solution,’ he said, adding that this administration is unique in ‘targeting children for repression.’
Ruto’s promises are yet to quell public anger. As pressure mounts on the government to address these human rights concerns, the question remains: will the president deliver on his pledge, or will Kenya’s security forces continue to operate with impunity?
