By Ebi Kesiena
The United States has joined mounting calls for an end to the recent wave of abductions in Kenya, urging respect for the rule of law and accountability.
Nairobi Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard made the remarks on Tuesday while mourning former US President Jimmy Carter, praising him as a global champion of human rights.
“In the spirit of his legacy, we join the calls in Kenya for accountability and respect for the rule of law. Abductions must end,” Dillard stated.
The alarming trend of abductions has sparked widespread concern across Kenya. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that at least 82 individuals have been kidnapped by unidentified armed individuals since anti-government protests began in June, with 29 still missing.
In December alone, six people—Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Billy Mwangu, Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplangat, and Steve Kavingo—were reportedly abducted. Despite a court-issued Habeas Corpus order, their whereabouts remain unknown.
Witnesses have recounted troubling accounts of the abductions. Muteti was allegedly seized by four men, one in police uniform, outside a kiosk in Uthiru, while Mwangu was forcibly taken from a barbershop in Embu by masked armed men in a pickup truck. The missing individuals are said to have posted critical remarks about President Ruto on social media.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have accused the police of involvement in the abductions—an allegation vehemently denied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
“The National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country holding the reported abductees,” Kanja stated, adding that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) will investigate the cases.
However, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) dismissed the police denials as inadequate, demanding swift action.
“If indeed the police are not complicit, they must investigate and prosecute those responsible,” the LSK maintained.
The situation remains tense, with growing pressure on authorities to address the crisis and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
