President Ruto Acknowledges Abuse of Power Amid Growing Concerns Over Kidnappings and Disappearances in Kenya

President Ruto Acknowledges Abuse of Power Amid Growing Concerns Over Kidnappings and Disappearances in Kenya

In a landmark statement during his New Year’s address on Tuesday, President William Ruto publicly acknowledged the abuse of power by Kenya’s security forces, amidst rising protests and allegations of extrajudicial actions, including kidnappings and forced disappearances. This marks the first time the president has openly recognized such misconduct within the country’s law enforcement.

Ruto admitted that there have been “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions” by security personnel but refrained from offering further details or specific examples. His comments came in the wake of widespread demonstrations organized by youth groups, calling for justice over the abductions of government critics, particularly those involved in protests over the past year.

The recent demonstrations were a response to a growing number of cases involving young people who have gone missing under suspicious circumstances, with many accusing security forces of being involved in their disappearances. These protests, which gained momentum after the violent repression of similar rallies in June and July, were met with heavy-handed tactics, including tear gas, arrests, and reports of police brutality.

President William Ruto

“While we acknowledge these incidents, it is important to understand that every freedom has its limits. Public safety and order must always take precedence over unchecked liberty,” Ruto stated, defending the government’s position on maintaining security and order.

However, human rights activists and opposition figures have raised alarm over the government’s apparent failure to properly investigate these disappearances, calling it a clear abuse of power. A recent court ruling demanded the immediate release of five individuals allegedly abducted by security forces or a formal explanation under oath. Yet, on Tuesday, no police officers were brought to court for questioning, and the police inspector general sent a representative in his place, further heightening concerns among the families of the missing.

The most recent disappearances involve individuals who were critical of President Ruto, including two young people who had shared a controversial AI-generated image of Ruto lying in a coffin, which sparked national outrage. In his address, Ruto linked these cases to the increasing use of digital manipulation and harmful social media activities. “These are clear signs that our moral fabric is at risk of decay,” he remarked, hinting at the rising influence of misinformation and provocative content online.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported seven abductions just this month, with six of the individuals still missing. Since June, 29 people out of 82 reported cases of disappearances remain unaccounted for, raising calls for accountability from the government and security forces. Human Rights Watch and other organizations have pointed to a special security unit, comprising multiple agencies, as being involved in these disappearances.

As the country grapples with this issue, activists are demanding greater transparency and thorough investigations into the abductions, as well as stronger safeguards to prevent further violations of human rights. The growing number of cases has intensified public pressure for the government to take swift action to address the root causes of the disappearances and to hold those responsible accountable.

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