NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya is on the brink of nationwide protests as outrage mounts over the abductions of four young men who had openly criticized President William Ruto.
The abductions have ignited a firestorm on social media, with young people rallying under hashtags that have gone viral.
Y News has established that the mobilization mirrors the energy seen during the GenZ protests earlier this year, with youth leveraging platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to organize their efforts.
The youth are also actively participating in X Spaces—live audio discussions—where strategies and protest plans are being aligned.
The discussions reveal a deeply rooted frustration with the state of governance and a shared determination to demand accountability.
Influential voices have joined the call, amplifying the message and encouraging citizens to take to the streets on Monday.
One youth leader, who spoke to Y News anonymously, said, “This is about the government’s disregard for our freedoms. We will not be silenced.”
Senator Okiya Omtatah has taken a firm stance, urging Kenyans to protest nationwide on Monday.
Kibet Bull, one of the missing content creators, was abducted after a meeting with the Senator.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also condemned the abductions, revealing explosive claims about a covert police unit operating under a parallel command structure separate from the Inspector General of Police.
Gachagua’s comments have added a new dimension to the controversy, suggesting that the abductions may be part of a deliberate campaign to suppress dissent.
“These abductions are unacceptable,” Gachagua said during a press briefing on Friday.
President Ruto, under mounting pressure, has assured the nation that his administration will stop the abductions.
However, his remarks have sparked further debate.
The President stated that the youth must also respect their leaders—a comment many have interpreted as an attempt to deflect blame.
Adding to the controversy, government officials have shifted responsibility to parents, suggesting that they are failing in their duty to mentor their children.
This narrative has drawn widespread criticism from the public, who argue that the state cannot absolve itself of accountability in such grave matters.
The four abducted men remain missing, their families left in anguish and uncertainty. They include Peter Muteti aged 22 years, Billy Mwangi, Kibet Bull alias Yoko and Bernard Kavuli.
There are claims that more youth have been abducted for posting anti-government materials on social media.
The National Police Service is expected to issue a statement on the upcoming protest.
All recent protests including one calling for an end to killings of women was disrupted by police and participants dispersed using teargas, while others were arrested.
