NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has stated that forced disappearances and abductions have no place in Kenya.
Speaking during his State of the Nation Address, the President addressed growing concerns about the alleged disappearances of individuals, particularly during recent protests.
While acknowledging the allegations, President Ruto clarified that several cases of missing persons had been resolved, while others were debunked as false claims.
He also pointed out that many of the so-called disappearances were, in fact, instances where individuals had been arrested by law enforcement officers and subsequently charged in court.
“A number of these disappearances have turned out to be arrests made by police officers, and in those instances, the suspects have been duly arraigned,” President Ruto explained. “Let me be clear—there is absolutely no justification for illegal arrests or extra-judicial actions.”
The President expressed unequivocal condemnation of any unlawful actions, including those that put citizens’ lives or liberty at risk, reaffirming that the government would not tolerate human rights abuses.
He called on Kenyans with information about possible police involvement in such cases to report them to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is already handling many of the ongoing investigations.
“Many of the cases that have been raised are being addressed by IPOA,” he added.
Turning his attention to the role of protests in Kenya, President Ruto reiterated that peaceful demonstrations are constitutionally protected as a vital tool for civic engagement.
He stressed that Kenyans have the right to assemble, protest, and advocate for accountability without fear of repression.
“Protests are a fundamental part of a democratic society when conducted peacefully and without arms. They serve as a means to advance constitutionalism, enhance accountability, and defend the rule of law,” he said.
However, the President drew a sharp distinction between peaceful protests and efforts by criminal elements to hijack demonstrations for malicious purposes.
He warned that individuals who exploit peaceful protests to sow chaos or promote anarchy undermine both the protestors’ cause and public safety.
“Infiltrators who use protests as cover for criminal activities put the safety of innocent citizens, public assets, and private property at risk,” he said. “Such acts of criminality cannot and will not be tolerated.”
In a digital era where misinformation can spread rapidly, President Ruto also cautioned against the dangers of misleading the public.
“While it has never been easier to inform and educate the public, it has also never been easier to misinform, incite, and create unnecessary panic,” he stated.
Speaking during his State of the Nation Address, the President addressed growing concerns about the alleged disappearances of individuals, particularly during recent protests.
While acknowledging the allegations, President Ruto clarified that several cases of missing persons had been resolved, while others were debunked as false claims.
He also pointed out that many of the so-called disappearances were, in fact, instances where individuals had been arrested by law enforcement officers and subsequently charged in court.
“A number of these disappearances have turned out to be arrests made by police officers, and in those instances, the suspects have been duly arraigned,” President Ruto explained. “Let me be clear—there is absolutely no justification for illegal arrests or extra-judicial actions.”
The President expressed unequivocal condemnation of any unlawful actions, including those that put citizens’ lives or liberty at risk, reaffirming that the government would not tolerate human rights abuses.
He called on Kenyans with information about possible police involvement in such cases to report them to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is already handling many of the ongoing investigations.
“Many of the cases that have been raised are being addressed by IPOA,” he added.
Turning his attention to the role of protests in Kenya, President Ruto reiterated that peaceful demonstrations are constitutionally protected as a vital tool for civic engagement.
He stressed that Kenyans have the right to assemble, protest, and advocate for accountability without fear of repression.
“Protests are a fundamental part of a democratic society when conducted peacefully and without arms. They serve as a means to advance constitutionalism, enhance accountability, and defend the rule of law,” he said.
However, the President drew a sharp distinction between peaceful protests and efforts by criminal elements to hijack demonstrations for malicious purposes.
He warned that individuals who exploit peaceful protests to sow chaos or promote anarchy undermine both the protestors’ cause and public safety.
“Infiltrators who use protests as cover for criminal activities put the safety of innocent citizens, public assets, and private property at risk,” he said. “Such acts of criminality cannot and will not be tolerated.”
In a digital era where misinformation can spread rapidly, President Ruto also cautioned against the dangers of misleading the public.
“While it has never been easier to inform and educate the public, it has also never been easier to misinform, incite, and create unnecessary panic,” he stated.
