Abductions soil Kenya's image

Missing lawyer John Erick Wesonga. [Courtesy]

Kenya’s international reputation is under scrutiny as actions by certain state security agents against government critics have attracted the attention of the European Union, with member countries cautioning against human rights violations.

On Thursday, nine diplomatic missions raised concerns over reports of arbitrary arrests and disappearance of persons in Kenya.

The envoys drawn from Finland, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the British High Commission issued a joint statement decrying the arbitrarily arrests and disappearances despite the court rulings.

They said that Kenya’s Constitution and national legislation, set out the rights and fundamental freedoms to which each of its citizens are entitled.

“We note with concern ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances despite High court rulings,” they said, in a statement

Similarly, it establishes the Bill of Rights as the framework for its economic and social policies, with the envoys saying that upholding human rights leads to stability and prosperity.

They called for swift and transparent investigation, saying this will enable Kenya to demonstrate to the world its commitment to upholding rights as it takes up its seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

They however, congratulated Kenya on its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council saying the organisation faces great challenges in promoting and protecting human rights worldwide and its work is evermore essential.

“As active members or observers to the Council, we will support Kenya in corralling the political will necessary to effect change,” they affirmed.

The envoys issued the statement a day after US envoy to Kenya Meg Whitman said she had heard allegations that mobile phones are being used to locate people who are then arrested.

Although she distanced herself from the issue, she, however, stated that the rule of laws of privacy and rule of law around rights of a private citizen should be respected in democracies.

“Democracies and democratic values are something we share with Kenya so I am certain that people will look into this situation and I think we should take it very seriously because privacy is an important right in any democracy,” she said, in an interview earlier this week.

And as the US elections draw closer, she said that her country’s relations with Kenya will not change saying they have had many Presidents in over 60 years and diplomat relations have not changed.

“I can assure you that whoever is elected will continue to work with Kenya as much as we had,” she assured.

This comes against the backdrop of President William Ruto constantly affirming that he would not allow any instances of abductions and extrajudicial killings under his watch.

In August this year, while in Kisumu, the President insisted that there were no abductions being carried out by the security agencies, even during the anti- Government protests.

The President urged families with missing relatives to present their names to Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, saying no person should be subjected to intimidation or inhuman treatment in the country.

“Any family, whose child or kin went for demonstrations, whether this or last year and never came back, I want to know their names so that I can take firm and decisive action,” he said.

But the complaints of abductions for vocal activists continue to be raised. Ironically a month ago when some of the families whose 60 relatives had been killed by the police went to present the names to office of the president, they were blocked by police along Harambee Avenue.

Last Monday, Narc Kenya Party Leader, Martha Karua claimed that the spate of abductions could be State sanctioned, observing that persons with contrary opinion to the Government have seemingly been targeted.

She also raised questions over the manner in which people are being handled when they are abducted and taken to unknown location only to be traced days later, some dead.

Karua cited the recent target human rights activist , Boniface Mwangi, who was abducted on Sunday morning, which she condemned as intimidating and a campaign of instilling fear.

She highlighted the alarming trend of abductions by individuals reportedly affiliated with state agencies, who refuse to identify themselves or provide reasons for their actions.

“The Kenya Kwanza administration came to power on a campaign of lies and deceit, led by Ruto. He tells us there will be no more abductions, yet the numbers only increase,” Karua stated, in an interview with Spice FM.

The Law Society of Kenya has also been at the front line condemning rising acts of abductions, extrajudicial killing and mysterious deaths across the country.