President William Ruto has promised that his government will end cases of reported abductions as he urged Kenyan parents to take responsibility for raising their children to be responsible citizens.
The President said parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children grow up to be responsible people.
"We all want to go together. I want to urge all parents that our children are a blessing from God and you should take care of them and the government will do our part. Na yale yamesemekana mambo ya abduction tutakomesha ndio vijana wa Kenya waweze kuishi kwa amani na vilevile wawe na nidhamu ili tuweze kujenga Kenya pamoja (And what has been said about abduction matters; we will stop it. So that Kenya's youth can live in peace and have discipline so that we can build Kenya together)," Dr Ruto said in Homa Bay.
President Ruto was speaking when he was accompanied by the former Prime Minister to the Odi Genowa Governor's Cup 2024 final at the Raila Odinga Stadium.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, who on Christmas Day described the abductions as a return to the dark days of President Daniel Moi's era, reiterated its message on Friday, December 27, calling for the dignity and rights of citizens.
"We want to start a new year. Let the sins not be repeated and let us move into the New Year. All young people should be safe. I have told my friend, President Ruto, to ensure that cases where youths are arrested, handcuffed before being taken away, locked up and tortured stop. Let it stop. Whoever is doing this should be arrested and locked up so that we can live in peace," Mr Odinga said.
According to Mr Odinga, the youths who were allegedly abducted used their freedom of expression to express their views on social media.
“Even if you are against me, you are not my enemy. Even if you abuse me, you are not my enemy. I have been abused severally on social media. But I look at some of the abuses and saying whoever is behind them is a fool. We want to have peace in our country so that Kenya can develop,” said Mr Odinga.
The State-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said it had recorded 13 more cases of abductions or enforced disappearances in the last three months, bringing to 82 the total cases since June 2024, with 29 so far still reported missing.
Governor Gladys Wanga welcomed the two leaders, President Ruto and Mr Odinga, to the Homa Bay stadium.
Her office had organised a sports tournament to help identify talent and keep young people busy during the December holidays.
The Head of State was also accompanied by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
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Mr Mohamed said football should be used to help the youth avoid idleness, which sometimes leads them to vices that affect their lives, apart from developing talents.
He was echoed by Mr Ichung'wah who said sports can be used to steer youths away from vices that affect them.
He argued that social media is one of the things corrupting Kenyan youths, saying it leads to misinformation when misused.
He said he wanted to unite the country, especially after working with Mr Odinga and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"I was in Homa Bay during the campaign but I got dismal support while Raila got the majority of votes. Now we are working together and let us continue in the same spirit," said Dr Ruto.
Among the promises he made was the allocation of Sh500 million for the expansion of Raila Odinga Stadium, which will host the 2025 Mashujaa Day celebrations.
He said the support was meant to nurture sporting talent in the county, describing Homa Bay as a place with the potential to produce regional and international players.
"The sports fund should be used to help athletes. We will increase the amount to help the youth in sports," said the President.
The Head of State donated Sh2 million to be shared among all the 66 teams participating in the match.
