NAIROBI, Kenya- Public anger is sweeping across Kenya following the alarming rise in abductions across the country, a trend condemned as reminiscent of darker eras.
With at least 82 individuals abducted over the past three months, and 29 others still unaccounted for, the nation is demanding answers.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, at a press conference on Monday, December 30, called for the immediate release of the abductees, intensifying calls for accountability.
Addressing journalists from the Wiper Party headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, Kalonzo labeled the abductions unlawful and a betrayal of Kenya’s hard-won freedoms.
“We demand that all 82 youths abducted in the last three months be released and returned to their families immediately,” he declared, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the cases of the 29 individuals still missing.
Kalonzo accused President William Ruto’s administration of complicity. “No matter the whitewashing or chest-thumping, the truth is clear—Mr. William Ruto is the Chief Commander of the Abduction Squad. The buck stops with him,” Kalonzo stated.
The high-profile nature of some cases, including the disappearance of social media cartoonist Kibet Bull, has amplified public outcry. Civil society groups, alongside activists and netizens, have rallied to demand justice and transparency.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has taken a strong stance against what it describes as “enforced disappearances and related human rights violations.” In a public statement, the LSK encouraged families of the abducted to report cases, assuring them of legal intervention.
“We urge families and close relations of the abducted to come forward with comprehensive and accurate information regarding these incidents,” the society stated.
Despite growing pressure, government agencies, including the National Police Service (NPS), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and National Intelligence Service (NIS), have denied any involvement.
Their denial has done little to quell public skepticism, particularly in light of President Ruto’s controversial comment suggesting that the abductions would end if social media users “behaved.”
The abductions have brought Kenya to a critical juncture. With activists mobilizing online and on the ground, the pressure on the government continues to mount.
The nation’s resilience is being tested, but the demands for justice reflect a shared determination to protect freedoms and ensure accountability.
