Rights group demands action over 82 people abducted since June
Billy Mwangi (left) and Peter Muteti Njeru have been missing since December 21.
What you need to know:
- The Commission warned that if the patterns of abductions are allowed to continue, "then we shall rapidly be retrogressing back to the dark days of our history when such attacks were primarily to inflict fear on any person critical of the government".
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on Boxing Day released disturbing data indicating that 82 people have been reported abducted in the past six months, with 29 still missing.
A statement signed by the Commission Chairperson Roseline Odede said, “There have been 13 more cases of abductions or enforced disappearances in the recent three months”.
“Seven of the recent abduction cases were reported in the month of December 2024 with six of them still missing, bringing to 29 the total number of persons still missing since June 2024.”
The Commission released the names of the December victims as Mr Steve Kavingo Mbisi, missing since December 17 after he was grabbed in Machakos County; Mr Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, missing since December 21 after he was grabbed in Embu County; Mr Peter Muteti who was abducted the same day in Nairobi's Uthiru estate.
Mr Bernard Kavuli has been missing since December 22 after being kidnapped in Nairobi's Ngong' estate; Ms Naomi aka @Jabertotoo went missing from Ruaraka estate in Nairobi.
Cartoonist Gideon Kibet aka Kibet Bull was abducted on Christmas Day and is yet to be found alongside his brother Mr Rony Kiplang'at. Both disappeared from Kiambu County.
The rights’ group statement strongly linked the abduction wave to the Gen Z uprising against the Finance Bill 2024, where protestors breached the National Assembly.
The uprising resulted in high-level shockwaves that saw President William Ruto decline to sign the Bill.
Further, the president dissolved his cabinet and reconstituted it to include members of the opposition. The president made peace with Raila Odinga to stabilise his government.
In October, he sponsored a move to impeach his then deputy Rigathi Gachagua and replaced him with Prof Kithure Kindiki.
President Ruto had branded the youthful protestors who breached Parliament as treasonous criminals, vowing to crack down on them with a purpose of apprehending them for the due process.
On Boxing Day, the rights group said it has been monitoring the situation.
"We continue to monitor with concern the worrying pattern of abductions in several parts of our country. The Commission notes that these abductions are perpetuated clandestinely," the statement reads.
It added that the abductions are executed by unidentified armed persons.
"The Commission further notes that those abducted have been vocal dissidents, particularly on social platforms," the statement said.
"The Commission strongly condemns these abductions, which fall outside the dictates of the Constitution. Abductions are torture, cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment."
Abductions "have no place in a democratic state like ours".
The Commission warned that if the patterns of abductions are allowed to continue, "then we shall rapidly be retrogressing back to the dark days of our history when such attacks were primarily to inflict fear on any person critical of the government".
The rights group reiterated that the freedom and security of a person under Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees all the right not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause, not to be detained without trial, not to be subjected to any form of violence, not to be subjected to torture and not to be treated in a cruel, inhumane or degrading manner.
"The Commission takes note of the statement issued by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on Boxing Day 2024 stating that police officers are not responsible for the abductions. We remind the National Police Service of its role of securing every person in Kenya from such violent acts, particularly noting that these abductions are happening in broad daylight, with some of them being captured on CCTV, but still no arrests are taking place," the commission hit back.
The Commission said President Ruto's regime has a role to play in safeguarding the rights and well-being of everyone in Kenya.
It reminded the government about the important space it occupies in the international arena, including the seat at the Human Rights Council, and thus needs to prioritise the promotion and protection of rights of everyone.
"In exercising its mandate to monitor compliance with human rights principles and the rule of law, the Commission called upon security agents to cease the game of musical chairs and act responsibly.
"The government must let Kenyans know who is perpetuating these abductions and protect them from such occurrences, embark on immediate investigations, and arrest those found culpable of perpetrating these heinous violations.”
It also demanded the “immediate and unconditional release or presentation to court of any illegally detained persons, including the 29 still missing, if in police custody".
The rights watchdog said Kenya should ratify and domesticate the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.
"As a member of the Human Rights Council, Kenya must walk the talk and lead from the front," it said.
The Commission said it would continue to carry out its mandate of independent investigations and to assist survivors and families of the abducted with appropriate remedies, including appearing in court on habeas corpus to seek justice.
"The Commission also calls upon the public to report to us any events of human rights abuses including abductions and enforced disappearances through: SMS 22359; Email [email protected]; and Toll-Free Line 0800720 627," it concluded.
