Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come under fire from Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni over his remarks on the rising cases of abductions in Kenya. Kioni, speaking on X (formerly Twitter), criticized Gachagua for trivializing the grave issue, accusing him of making irresponsible statements without providing actionable information.
“This is not a game, nor a platform for empty rhetoric,” Kioni stated. He called on Gachagua to either disclose concrete details about the alleged police unit involved in the abductions or refrain from making unsubstantiated claims.
Gachagua recently revisited the sensitive issue, urging President William Ruto to fulfill his promise to release youths reportedly abducted by rogue elements within the police. “The abduction is coordinated by a unit outside the police,” he alleged, warning Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to avoid being misled.
Kioni dismissed these remarks as political theatrics, emphasizing that the nation needs serious and decisive leadership in addressing the matter. “Lives are at stake, and this demands utmost seriousness. Playing politics with such a sensitive issue is a betrayal of public trust,” he said.
The issue of abductions has drawn widespread condemnation, with the East Africa Law Society (EALS) calling for immediate action. EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar decried a resurgence of human rights violations in the region, urging security agencies to conduct lawful arrests instead of resorting to enforced disappearances.
“The situation of abductions and enforced disappearances within the East African Community has reached a critical point,” Abubakar said. He highlighted that human rights violations have been reported not only in Kenya but also in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Somalia.
Kioni’s remarks underline growing concerns over the government’s handling of human rights issues, as families of the abducted continue to suffer. The call for transparency and accountability echoes demands from civil society and international bodies for immediate and decisive action to address enforced disappearances.
The ball is now in the government’s court to provide clarity and justice for the victims of these alleged human rights violations.
