Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Kenya. Speaking at City Mortuary, where he joined the families of two victims from Mlolongo, Muturi emphasized that such incidents must not be treated as routine occurrences.
“We cannot take it as business as usual. We must address this matter to its finality with a view to getting to the root cause of it,” Muturi stated. He stressed that the commission should be composed of representatives from various sectors, including religious leaders, the Law Society of Kenya, and civil rights groups. Their mandate would be to examine and determine how these abductions and killings have been happening and who is responsible.
Muturi warned that failure to address these cases could push the country towards anarchy. He reiterated that the government does not have a policy that supports abductions and killings, but he insisted that action must be taken to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
“It is not right for parents and relatives to be subjected to anguish searching for their loved ones while we sit somewhere discussing the economy. Economy for who? If we are killing and abducting the young ones,” he questioned, highlighting the gravity of the issue.
The CS also disclosed a personal experience, revealing that his son had been abducted but was released shortly after he contacted President William Ruto. This revelation underscores the urgency of addressing the growing concerns over enforced disappearances in Kenya.
This marks the second time Muturi has publicly criticized the government he serves, raising questions about his stance within the administration. When asked if he intended to resign due to his continued attacks on the government, he remained noncommittal. “That is a side issue. This is a serious matter. It suffices that I have made a point,” he responded.
His remarks have intensified the debate over the government’s role in ensuring security and accountability. The increasing cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings have alarmed many Kenyans, with human rights organizations continuously calling for action. Muturi’s strong stand could pressure the government to take definitive measures in addressing these concerns. Whether the proposed commission of inquiry will be formed remains to be seen, but his public outcry has certainly reignited the national conversation on human rights and justice.
