NAIROBI, Kenya – Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua now says there is a dire need to convene a national civil society conference to address the thorny issue of abductions and killings in the country.
Karua, a former Cabinet minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, strongly condemned the spate of continued abductions and killings of Kenyans in the country.
“We need a national civil society conference to reason together on what to do about this epidemic that threatens to consume the nation. If one of us is not safe, then none of us is safe. The time to act is now,” said Karua.
In a statement shared on her official X account, Karua, a veteran politician, accused President William Ruto of what she termed abetting kidnappings at the expense of innocent Kenyans.
“The buck stops with the executive and specifically with President William Ruto. The abductions admitted by the state, like that of the Turkish nationals, of the 36 Ugandans in Kisumu, and of Kizza Besigye, bear stinking similarities with the other abductions, making it inescapable a conclusion that state security agencies are part of the abductions or are covering up whichever agency is responsible,” explained Karua.
What happened to the now-infamous “Mlolongo Four”
Karua also observed that it was more than painful for the families of Justus Musyimi and Martin Mwau to have their loved ones turn up dead in the mortuary after a long, torturous wait, hoping to see them alive.
“Musyimi and Mwau were part of the “Mlolongo Four” abducted on December 17, 2024, by persons suspected to be state agents. To date, nothing has been heard of the other two. Steve Kavingo and Kalani Muema,” explained Karua.
She took issue with the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, Mohamed Amin, for swearing that they knew nothing about the abductions and subsequent murders of Mwau and Musyimi.
“These statements are not only distressing but also disrespectful to the people of Kenya who handsomely pay these top officers and equip them well to secure the country against internal threats and to maintain law and order,” added Karua.
Why Martha Karua wants Kenyans to rise to the occasion
Karua also delved into the case of Leslie Muturi, son of CS Justin Muturi, who was abducted and released after his father intervened at the highest level of government.
“CS Muturi has since given a credible account that traces the scourge of abductions to the National Intelligence Service (NIS),” said the Narc Kenya party boss.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), over 82 people have been missing since the Gen Z protests of June 2024.
“In the wake of impunity at the top, we are beginning to witness a spectre of devolution of abductions. In Nakuru, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers need to answer for the disappearance of Brian Odhiambo, who was last seen under their custody following his arrest,” lamented Karua.
Karua reiterated that Kenyans must refuse to normalise abductions and extrajudicial executions of citizens, especially the youth.
“We laud the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) under the able leadership of President Faith Odhiambo and all human rights organisations that have tirelessly stood up against the abduction epidemic. We call on Kenyans of goodwill and religious and professional organisations to rise and be counted in the defence of our rights and/or the Constitution. We must unite and liberate ourselves from this vicious assault on the right to life and liberty,” she explained.
