The United States has raised serious concerns over the escalating abductions in Kenya, calling for an end to the disturbing trend and a return to the rule of law. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Marc Dillard, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Nairobi, underscored the importance of accountability, aligning his statement with the legacy of former US President Jimmy Carter, a staunch advocate for human rights worldwide.
“Abductions must end,” Dillard declared, voicing the growing alarm in Kenya over the kidnappings that have intensified since the anti-government protests began in June. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 82 individuals have been abducted by “unidentified armed individuals,” with 29 still missing. The spike in disappearances has prompted calls for justice from both local and international rights organizations.
The situation escalated in December, with six more people abducted, including Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Billy Mwangu, Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplangat, and Steve Kavingo. Despite a court order for their production, their whereabouts remain unknown. Disturbingly, eyewitness accounts suggest that the perpetrators may have included individuals in police uniforms. Muteti, a social media influencer, was reportedly grabbed by four men outside a kiosk in Uthiru, while Mwangu was abducted from a barbershop in Embu by masked men traveling in a double-cabin pickup truck. Reports suggest that the missing individuals had posted offensive images of President William Ruto on their social media accounts, raising suspicions about the political motives behind the abductions.
Several rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have accused the police of complicity in the abductions, with claims that officers may be involved in orchestrating or facilitating the kidnappings. However, Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that the police do not engage in abductions but instead conduct lawful arrests. Kanja has called for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the claims, urging the public to share any relevant information with local police stations.
In response to the increasing public concern, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has criticized the police’s denial, calling it insufficient. LSK has demanded clear actions to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the abductions, warning that failure to do so could lead to a loss of public confidence in the police force. If the police are truly not involved, LSK urged Kanja to take immediate steps to hold the perpetrators accountable or resign.
As the abduction crisis continues to unfold, both local and international voices are united in their calls for justice, urging the Kenyan authorities to restore the rule of law and ensure the safe return of those still missing.
