Activists, protest victims condemn Ruto's speech

Kenyans and human rights organisations match along the streets of Nairobi to protest against the rising femicide cases in the country. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Against an overwhelming security and human rights scrutiny, President William Ruto delivered a State of the Nation address in what looked like a strained attempt to balance the scales-acknowledging citizen grievances while defending his administration’s track record.

Kenya’s state security apparatus has found itself under intense international scrutiny amid a worrying surge in alleged state-sanctioned abductions, shrinking democratic freedoms, and human rights violations.

Families searching for loved ones who vanished during the anti-tax protests have grown increasingly restless, while rights groups criticised the president’s speech for failing to provide tangible solutions.

For some observers, the speech fell short of addressing the heart of the matter-the festering crisis of accountability in Kenya’s security sector.

The president stated: “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,” he said.

Hussein Khalid, a human rights advocate from Vocal Africa, described the president’s remarks as underwhelming and way off base.

“It shouldn’t be lost on Kenyans what the president just admitted-he has, albeit indirectly, acknowledged that the police are involved in the abductions and disappearances. Yet, instead of concrete solutions, we were served the usual cover-up rhetoric,” Khalid said.

 Yesterday’s address came in the wake of fresh claims, following the widely criticised abduction and humiliation of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye on Kenyan soil. On this, the president treaded cautiously, opting not to address the matter directly, a move critics say exposes the government’s discomfort over its human rights record.

 “This was expected. The Besigye incident has brought immense shame to Kenya, exposing the shoddy way freedoms are handled in this country,” Khalid added.

For victims’ families, the president’s assurances rang hollow. In Rongai, Kajiado, where the youngest victim of the anti-Finance Bill protests, 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango, was fatally shot, his mother, Josinter Anyango, expressed her frustration.

“To be honest, I heard nothing in that speech to ease my pain. We have waited too long for answers, and yet none are forthcoming,” said Anyango.

Onyango was struck by a long-range bullet during the protests, a tragedy confirmed by government pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa, who reported the boy died from severe hemorrhage.

“The least this government can do is reach out. These families deserve compassion and support. Instead, promises made by the president to aid affected families remain unfulfilled,” Khalid remarked.

The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has been tasked with probing these cases, with the president urging Kenyans to report incidents to IPOA or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

However, critics argue that these promises are little more than lip service, with few tangible actions to show.

In a shift from outright denials, President Ruto also acknowledged the escalating crisis of femicide.

“It is time for each of us -political leaders, public officers, religious leaders, traditional institutions and family members - to do our part in raising boys into morally upright men who will never need to affirm their masculinity at the expense of women but instead contribute to making our society just, safe, equal and inclusive,” stated Ruto.

However, activists argue the president’s appeal lacked urgency.

At least 500 women and girls have been murdered in Kenya since 2016, according to Africa Data Hub, with police records revealing that at least one woman was killed every day in the three months leading up to November 2024.

Njeri Migwi, founder of Usikimye, a grassroots organisation advocating for survivors of abuse, has called for a bolder response from the government.