Ruto downplays abduction cases stating some are normal arrests

President William Ruto delivers his State of the Nation address at the Parliament plenary, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

President William Ruto has challenged anyone who has their loved one missing due to abductions by state agencies to report the missing persons to relevant authorities including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and IPOA for action to be taken immediately.

Addressing the public during this year's State of the Nation address, Ruto said that the allegations are not fully founded adding that a huge number of the disappearance cases especially during protests have already been resolved. "Numerous allegations have been made concerning disappearances of people during protests. A number of these cases have been resolved, while others have been uncovered as fake news, undermining efforts to find genuine cases of missing persons.

According to Ruto, a good number of alleged disappearances have also turned out to be arrests made by police officers, and in such cases, the suspects have been duly arraigned in court.

"I must, however, make it very clear that there is no attempt to justify or excuse illegal arrests: such would be serious threats to the life and liberty of citizens. I condemn any excessive or extrajudicial action which puts the life and liberty of any person at risk, including disappearances and threats to life," he added.

Femicide cases

On the escalating cases of femicide and gender-based violence, the President also raised concern stating that if left unaddressed, the cases will cause women to feel increasingly unsafe.

"This is both tragic and unacceptable. It also complicates, in disturbing ways, the struggle by Kenyan women for inclusion, equality, dignity, social justice, human rights, equity, and protection as a historically marginalised segment of our society," he stated.

However, Ruto said that most of the cases of murder of women by men have been investigated and prosecuted adding that those found guilty will face the full force of the law.

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He also took the platform to challenge political leaders, public officers, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and family members to fully participate in raising boys into morally upright men who will never need to affirm their masculinity at the expense of women.

"We must call out those who continue to sabotage this right of women to contribute to the governance of our nation. Women are not second-class citizens; they deserve equal representation at all levels," he said.

Protests

He also warned of criminal elements that hijack peaceful protests that end up threatening the security of the nation.

Ruto stressed that his administration respects the constitutional right of peaceful assemblies, demonstrations, and picketing although the right has been abused and infiltrated by some.

With that in mind, Ruto explained that it has been challenging for security agencies to distinguish between the lawful and the criminals.

"Criminals and subversive elements who infiltrate and hijack peaceful protests are a threat both to legitimate protesters and to the public. Incidences of violent criminality in the name of protest threaten the safety of innocent people, public assets, private property, and the social order," he stated.