NAIROBI, Kenya- Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to thoroughly investigate reported abductions, saying the incidents are making it increasingly difficult for government leaders to defend the Kenya Kwanza administration against accusations of state involvement.
Speaking amid growing public concern over enforced disappearances, Waiguru said the oversight body must establish the truth behind the cases to restore public confidence.
“IPOA, do your job. You’re making it difficult for us to defend the government. Investigate these cases thoroughly so people can stop saying the government is behind the abductions. We cannot do such things, and as a woman, I could never support abductions,” Waiguru said.
Her remarks come at a time when Kenya is facing renewed scrutiny over the fate of activists and protesters who disappeared following the June 25 demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
The comments also follow the discovery of six activists who had been missing after the demonstrations.
Human rights organisations said the six were found dumped in different parts of Nairobi after allegedly being tortured while in captivity.
They are currently receiving treatment in hospital after being found along Lang’ata Road and near Talanta Stadium. Rights groups said the activists had gone missing after they were reportedly arrested near Parliament during the protests.
Despite the recovery of the six, rights organisations say two other individuals remain missing, with their disappearance triggering fresh protests in parts of Nairobi as families and activists demand answers from security agencies.
The reported abductions have intensified concerns over alleged enforced disappearances, an issue that has dominated public discourse since the deadly 2024 anti-government protests.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly accused security agencies of failing to account for missing persons, while the government has consistently denied involvement in illegal abductions.
Waiguru’s intervention is notable because it is one of the strongest public calls from a senior leader allied to President William Ruto’s administration urging an independent investigation into the incidents.
Her appeal places the spotlight on IPOA, the statutory body mandated to investigate complaints against police officers, including allegations of enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings.
The latest developments come days after police arrested hundreds of people during nationwide demonstrations commemorating victims of the 2024 protests.
The memorial marches were largely peaceful but were met with heavy police deployment, road closures and mass arrests, prompting criticism from civil society groups and opposition leaders who accused authorities of suppressing constitutional rights.
The resurfacing of missing activists has further fuelled demands for accountability, with rights groups calling for swift investigations into the alleged torture and the whereabouts of those still unaccounted for.
As pressure mounts, attention is now turning to IPOA and investigative agencies to establish who was responsible for the alleged abductions and whether criminal charges will follow.
The authority has not publicly commented on Waiguru’s remarks or announced any new investigations linked to the latest cases.
Meanwhile, families of those still missing continue to demand answers, saying accountability is essential to restoring public trust in the country’s security institutions.