ODM Communications Boss Asks For Forgiveness After Dismissing #EndAbductionsKE Protests As Ill Advised

NAIROBI, Kenya – Philip Etale, the communications director for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has issued a public apology following backlash over his comments on ongoing demonstrations against abductions in Kenya.

Etale came under fire after dismissing the protests as “ill-advised” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The post, which read, “The protests currently ongoing have no basis. They are ill-advised,” was swiftly deleted but not before sparking outrage among Kenyans online.

The protests, held on Monday, December 30, were organized in response to a worrying rise in abductions and forced disappearances in the country.

In December alone, seven people were reportedly abducted in Nairobi, with only one person found so far.

Demonstrators across the country took to the streets, demanding action from the government to address the issue.

Among those arrested during the protests was Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who had earlier filed a case in the High Court seeking accountability over the abductions.

Etale’s comments were widely criticized on social media, with many accusing him of downplaying a grave issue affecting countless families.

In response, Etale posted a video apology, acknowledging the hurt caused by his earlier remarks.

“I apologize to anyone who I may have hurt, knowingly or unknowingly,” he said in the video.

The protests have drawn significant attention to the abductions, with activists and politicians alike calling for urgent action to curb the alarming trend.

For families of the missing, the protests are a plea for justice and the safe return of their loved ones.