By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has assured that his government will put an end to abductions, following increasing cases of the sudden disappearance of government critics, which have been condemned by rights groups, activists, and opposition politicians.
“We are going to stop the abductions so that our youth can live peacefully,” local media quoted Ruto as saying while speaking to a crowd on Friday in Homa Bay, a town in western Kenya.
Security agencies have been accused of carrying out dozens of illegal detentions in the East African nation since the sweeping anti-government demonstrations in June and July over a planned tax hike.
Recent disappearances have primarily involved young men who have criticised Ruto on social media platforms, with rights groups dismissing police denials of involvement in the abductions.
Ruto, in the address, promised an end to the abductions but urged parents to “take responsibility” for their children.
During his annual state of the nation speech in November, the Kenyan leader also condemned “any excessive or extrajudicial” actions.
Many of the detentions, he stated further, were legitimate arrests targeting “criminals and subversive elements.”
Police have denied involvement, but activists have questioned why they appear not to be investigating the disappearances.
“If indeed the police are not complicit,” the Law Society of Kenya said, they must immediately “investigate and prosecute those responsible.”
Human Rights Watch said earlier this year that its research pointed towards a unit drawn from multiple security agencies.
Ruto’s remarks follow recent comments by sacked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who alleged a secret unit was behind the disappearances.
“Abducting these children and killing them is not a solution… This is the first administration in the history of this country to target children for repression,” Gachagua claimed.
Ruto had accused his former deputy, Gachagua, of aiding the June and July anti-government protests sparked by attempts to raise taxes.
