Ruto ignores concerns over abductions

President Ruto with Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri during Jamuhuri Day Celebrations on December 12, 2024 at Uhuru Gardens. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

As Kenya marked 60 years since it became a republic, President William Ruto celebrated progress but failed to address insecurity, abductions and other human rights violations.

The silence comes amid growing number of disappearances and deaths linked to a police crackdown on government critics following protests mid this year.

Addressing Kenyans at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Ruto emphasised Kenya’s sovereignty and holding the legacy of its founding fathers. He praised the nation’s progress since attaining independence.

“Today, we affirm — by reflecting on what we have accomplished since raising the flag of our nation — that by staying true to our national identity, we have remained consistent through seasons of abundance and scarcity.”

However, his speech did not address the concerns of families of at least 66 people still missing, according to reports by human rights organisations.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a State agency, says since June, it has investigated 60 cases of extrajudicial killings and 71 incidents of abductions and enforced disappearances.

Families of the victims are desperate for information on their whereabouts, and are seeking justice.

The relatives claim that once a person is reported missing, the entire family is targeted for harassment by the security agencies.

“I made a post on social media about his disappearance, and immediately the calls started coming. My sickly mother got strange calls warning her to have me stop making inflammatory statements about the government or she would have more sorrow,” a brother to one of the missing persons said.

The disappearances remain unresolved despite promises made by Ruto during his 2022 campaign to protect citizens from such human rights abuses. “Under my administration, I do not want a situation where a Kenyan disappears. There were days when people were found, 20, 30, in River Yala, executed,” he said in one campaign speech.

His silence in the face of ongoing violations raises questions about his commitment to addressing these issues.

“This disturbing trend threatens the very fabric of our society and underscores a critical need for the Kenyan government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to protect citizens, uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is served. The commission condemns, in the strongest terms, the lack of accountability for such grave human rights violations and urges immediate and decisive action to end this cycle of violence,” said KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede.

As the aftermath of the Generation Z protests haunts President Ruto’s administration, he continues to deny that police were involved in abductions, torture and killings.

Rights groups say at least 50 deaths and hundreds of injuries have been reported in the police crackdown.

The international community, including the European Union and the US, has also voiced concern.

A statement from the EU in October emphasised the importance of upholding human rights and respecting judicial rulings.

“We express concern over ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances despite High Court rulings. It is crucial to ensure the rule of law prevails and that judicial rulings are respected,” the statement read.

Religious leaders have also raised their voices against the increasing violence, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of normalising lies from politicians and failing to address corruption and human rights abuses.

“Kenyans must learn not to applaud or validate the lies that politicians tell them but rather must resolve to seek and be led by the truth,” said Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Eldoret Catholic Diocese.

The bishops directed their frustrations at elected leaders, accusing them of “heightened insensitivity and irresponsibility” in their roles and claiming they have been “captured and compromised in corrupt deals.”

“Corruption may not always involve financial gain but can also mean the unjust use of position and authority or abuse of office. The massive greed we are witnessing is shocking and heartbreaking,” said KCCB Chairperson Archbishop Maurice Muhatia.