Omtatah, activists arrested in protests over abductions

Police lob teargas canisters to disperse youths who had attempted to block Embu Kirituri highway at the busy Kiritiri stage, outside Maguna Dallas Supermarket in Embu. December 30, 2024.[Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and scores of activists were yesterday arrested as they protested against the rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances of government critics.

The demonstrators had gathered at Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).

The protestors were initially booked at Central Police Station before being transferred to Gigiri Police Station.

Protests also erupted in various parts of the country, with demonstrators filling the streets and chanting in outrage over the increasing cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings.

The protesters held placards condemning and calling for an end to violations of human rights against government’s critics.

Police robbed teargas canisters to disperse the protesting crowds.

For the better part of Monday, Senator Omtatah and a group of protesters sat on concrete, chained themselves together chanting anti-abductions slogans in the country.

The activists refused to move even as police officers made several attempts to unchain them and effect arrests.

The demonstrators stood their ground, even as the police fired teargas directly at them, with some canisters hitting and injuring several demonstrators.

In Mombasa, 13 protestors were arrested. Three youth were arrested as they assembled at Pembe za Ndovu along Moi Avenue in the morning while 10 others were picked up in the afternoon as they chanted heading to the Haki Afrika offices in the town’s central business district.

Some of the those arrested were reported to have suffered broken legs and arms during the scuffle.

Police officers told civil society activists that they had orders not to allow picketing in the Coast city.

Among those arrested were Vocal Africa’s Executive Director Hussein Khalid and Haki Afrika’s rapid response programme officer Mathias Shipeta.

“The 10 protesters were rounded up while chanting peacefully as they headed to the Haki Afrika office,” said a rights activist at the Central Police Station.

Addressing the media, civil society leaders led by Francis Auma, a Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) rapid response officer, Bradlely Ouna of Concerned Citizens and Shipeta condemned the arrests and assault of the three demonstrators whom they said suffered broken arms and legs during the arrest.

Police stationed a truck and a continent of anti-riot police officers at Pembe za Ndovu the whole day and deployed vehicles loaded with armed officers including the General Service Unit (GSU) to keep off the protesters.

The protests were fueled by reports of abductions, with many victims allegedly detained by security forces without due process and, in some instances, individuals later found dead or showing signs of torture.

The demonstration was mobilised on social media, with hashtags like #EndAbductionsKE, #OccupyStateHouse, #OccupyEverywhere and #MondayIsMonday rallying people to demand justice and call for an end of abductions.

Many Kenyans, especially the youth, have been using platforms like X to speak out against a worrying rise in abductions.

The protests were sparked by reports of the youth, who are government critics, mysteriously disappearing.

The protesters accuse the State of being behind the abductions.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says there have been 82 cases of abductions since anti-government protests began in June. Out of these, 29 people are still missing.

Witnesses say some of the victims were taken by men in police uniforms. One such case is Muteti, who was reportedly seized outside a shop in Uthiru, Nairobi.

“The protest today is just one of many actions we are taking to demand justice for the missing. For us the youth, it is about more than finding the abducted, it is about fighting for our right to live without fear,” said Peter Maina.

Those abducted have been critical of the Ruto’s administration, using Artificial Intelligence and silhouettes to communicate.  

In Embu, police deployed heavy security across the town to control protests demanding the release of 24-year-old Bill Mwangi who was abducted on December 21.

By 6am, officers had already positioned themselves at key areas. Police patrolled the streets in trucks while other officers conducted foot patrols. 

Tension escalated when youth from Dallas Estate barricaded the Embu-Kiritiri Road multiple times. Police fired warning shots into the air and deployed teargas to disperse the crowds.

The protests centered around the busy Kiritiri stage.

Police kept vigil outside Cylet supermarket, a known flashpoint for demonstrations.

 [Reports by Jacinta Mutura, Patrick Beja, Muriithi Mugo and Emmanuel Kipchumba]