Kenya rights body alarmed by abductions of Ruto critics
Social media users who spoke out against President William Ruto's government are the most recent people to go missing, with several groups blaming the police.
The Kenya National Commission in Human Rights has expressed alarm over the rising number of government critics being abducted.
The commission said since anti-government protests in June, "unidentified armed individuals" have kidnapped at least 82 people, with 29 still missing.
On Wednesday, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) announced an investigation into the latest disappearances of social media users who are critical of President William Ruto's government.
While not directly implicating security forces, the IPOA urged the Inspector General of Police to "take urgent measures to stop this growing and worrying trend of abductions in the country."
Fingers pointed at the police
It comes after three men, Peter Muteti, Billy Mwangi and Bernard Kavuli, all disappeared over the weekend. A fourth person, whose identity has not been disclosed, has also reportedly been abducted in recent days.
Witnesses cited by Citizen TV reported that Muteti was seized by a group of men outside a shop in the Nairobi suburb of Uthiru and bundled into a car, with one of the abductors wearing a police uniform.
Several rights groups, including Amnesty International, have accused the police force of being responsible for the abductions.
However, the police have denied any involvement. "The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that Police Officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya," the office of the inspector general said in a statement.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who fell out with Ruto amid the public protests against the president's economic plans this year and was later impeached, on Friday said a secret government unit was responsible for the disappearances.
"Abducting these children and killing them is not a solution... This is the first administration in the history of this country to target children for repression," Gachagua claimed at a press conference.
Resentment towards government grows
Anti-government demonstrations earlier this year were sparked by proposed tax hikes, triggering the worst crisis since Ruto took power in 2022.
Although large-scale rallies have largely stopped, resentment towards the government persists, driven by rising costs of living and ongoing allegations of brutality from the security forces.
In October, nine European envoys raised concerns over enforced disappearances and urged Ruto to ensure justice.
In November, Human Rights Watch blamed Kenyan security agencies for the abduction, torture, and killing of people seen as leading or taking part in the demonstrations against the government.
HRW said a unit of officers drawn from multiple security agencies, including military intelligence and an anti-terrorism unit, was responsible.
DW (AFP, AP)
Kenya probes alleged police involvement in abduction of government critics
Kenya’s police watchdog has raised concerns about the high number of abductions of those who have criticised President William Ruto, allegedly carried out by police officers.
Issued on: 27/12/2024 -
RFI
Kenyan plain-clothed police officers push a man into a car during a protest in Nairobi, 16 July 2024. © Ed Ram/AP
By: RFI
Kenya's Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) this week launched an investigation into the rising number of cases of abductions allegedly carried out by members of the National Police Service (NPS).
The move comes after reports of several young people allegedly abducted after criticising President William Ruto and his administration.
Four people were forcibly taken by armed men, allegedly for sharing AI-generated images of Ruto in a coffin, according to their family and local media.
Satirist Kibet Bull also went missing after meeting with a senator in Nairobi.
Kenya investigates alleged kidnapping of Ugandan opposition leader Besigye
According to New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch, Kenyan security forces "abducted, arbitrarily arrested, tortured and killed perceived leaders of the anti-Finance Bill protests between June and August 2024".
HRW added that: "Security officers held abductees, who they had detained without respecting their legal rights, in unlawful detention facilities, including in forests and abandoned buildings, and denied them access to their families and lawyers."
Finance bill
The protests gained momentum after the introduction of the Finance Bill 2024 in parliament on 18 June.
Protesters took to the streets over provisions that would raise taxes on essential goods and services, in order to meet International Monetary Fund revenue targets.
On 25 June, a large crowd broke through the parliament fence, where they encountered anti-riot police officers who fired directly at the crowd, killing several, says HRW.
The protesters overpowered the police and entered parliament through the back entrance, destroying furniture and other items, resulting in the subsequent crackdown and abductions.
Scattered anti-government protests in Kenya defy police bans
The NPS has documented 57 abductions since anti-government protests began in June, but it has repeatedly denied any involvement.
In a statement on Thursday, NPS Inspector-General Douglas Kanja said: "The National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country holding the reported abductees."
The move comes after reports of several young people allegedly abducted after criticising President William Ruto and his administration.
Four people were forcibly taken by armed men, allegedly for sharing AI-generated images of Ruto in a coffin, according to their family and local media.
Satirist Kibet Bull also went missing after meeting with a senator in Nairobi.
Kenya investigates alleged kidnapping of Ugandan opposition leader Besigye
According to New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch, Kenyan security forces "abducted, arbitrarily arrested, tortured and killed perceived leaders of the anti-Finance Bill protests between June and August 2024".
HRW added that: "Security officers held abductees, who they had detained without respecting their legal rights, in unlawful detention facilities, including in forests and abandoned buildings, and denied them access to their families and lawyers."
Finance bill
The protests gained momentum after the introduction of the Finance Bill 2024 in parliament on 18 June.
Protesters took to the streets over provisions that would raise taxes on essential goods and services, in order to meet International Monetary Fund revenue targets.
On 25 June, a large crowd broke through the parliament fence, where they encountered anti-riot police officers who fired directly at the crowd, killing several, says HRW.
The protesters overpowered the police and entered parliament through the back entrance, destroying furniture and other items, resulting in the subsequent crackdown and abductions.
Scattered anti-government protests in Kenya defy police bans
The NPS has documented 57 abductions since anti-government protests began in June, but it has repeatedly denied any involvement.
In a statement on Thursday, NPS Inspector-General Douglas Kanja said: "The National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country holding the reported abductees."
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