Those behind abductions must not go scot-free

Kenyan women and human rights organizations match along the streets of Nairobi to protest against the rising femicide cases in the country on Jan 27, 2024. [Collins oduor, Standard]

Corruption and inefficiency have over the years sullied the image of the police so much that there is a near-permanent trust deficit in the force (or Service, if you like) among Kenyans.

But once in a while, police officers perform their duties so well that you cannot help but admire them. It is during such times that you realise that police are not exactly what they are depicted to be; and that they can work professionally and efficiently.

In the last few days, for instance, the officers have shown that they are capable of investigating even the most complex crimes with speed and putting the suspects behind bars.

Nothing illustrates that better than the swift investigation, arrests and even killing of some of the suspects involved in the murders of Wells Fargo Human Resources Manager Willis Ayieko and three women in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

That said, one wonders why police are not in a hurry to bring to book those who have for months been abducting and even killing Kenyans, some who have been critical of the government. It is important to point out here that security agencies have been accused of committing these heinous crimes.

It is also notable that no police officer has been apprehended over the daylight killing of scores of young people at the height of the Generation Z protests in June over the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

It is unacceptable for police to choose which odious crimes to investigate and which ones to ignore. If they want to be respected and regarded as professional, police must reveal and prosecute the people - including the colleagues - who killed 60 Kenyans during the protests.

They must also investigate and arraign those who have been abducting and torturing Kenyans. It doesn't matter whether these crimes are being committed by security officers on the behest political leaders. What matters is that no one has the license to torture and kill. Kenya, as has been said countless times, is governed by the rule of law. Police must uphold the Constitution as they vowed to do when they joined the force and do what is right.