NYERI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a call to the international community to condemn the alarming surge in abductions targeting government critics in Kenya.
“Silence from the global community will only embolden those who perpetrate these crimes,” Gachagua warned during a press briefing at his Nyeri home on Friday.
The abductions, which have sparked national outrage, have recently targeted outspoken youth, including a prominent cartoonist known for his criticism of President William Ruto’s administration.
Four youthful victims who used their social media platforms to criticize the government have gone missing for days after armed men abducted them.
Gachagua attributed the abductions to a covert police unit operating independently of the Inspector General of Police’s command.
He claimed the unit, allegedly headquartered in a city building, was behind the disappearances and vowed to expose the masterminds if the trend continues.
“In the face of government complicity and the blatant violation of fundamental human rights, the voices of Kenya’s citizens are being silenced. We ask you to take a firm stand against these atrocities,” he urged the international community, alongside the church and media, to intervene.
In a bold move, Gachagua demanded the resignation of the police boss, the Director of Criminal Investigations, and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief, whom he accused of failing to uphold their mandate.
“When I raised concerns about the dysfunctionality of the National Intelligence Service, I was accused of being insubordinate. However, the events of recent months have regrettably validated my position,” he remarked.
Between June and November this year, 74 cases of enforced disappearances have been reported, with 26 individuals still unaccounted for, according to recent statistics.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has repeatedly denied the involvement of police officers in the abductions.
However, Gachagua dismissed these denials, accusing the government of using fear as a tool to suppress dissent.
“Unfortunately, this government’s strategy of trying to scare Kenyans into silence whilst they go ahead and lie, loot, and destroy our nation cannot and will not hold,” he stated.
“In fact, it is just another example of how disconnected this particular administration has become from the reality of where Kenya is today.”
