Grieving mothers and families demand justice as abductions surge

Gerald Karicha, father of abducted of Billy Mwangi, breaks dowm in court as he pleads to know the whereabouts of his son. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Mothers and families of abducted individuals will stage protests across major towns today, Monday, to denounce the rising cases of enforced disappearances and mysterious deaths.

The protests, organized by mothers who will be joined by activists, politicians, and professionals, come amidst heightened concerns over increased abductions allegedly carried out by state agents.

The abductions have predominantly targeted young critics of President William Ruto’s administration.

“We, Kenyans Against Abductions, would like to notify you of our intention to conduct peaceful protests against abductions on Monday, January 6, from 9:30am,” reads a notice sent to Mombasa Central Police Station, dated January 2.

Similar notices have been sent to various police stations, reflecting growing public outrage after over 80 cases of abductions were reported last year, with more than 10 incidents occurring in December alone.

“Mothers of abducted children cry out, begging the government to bring their children home. Only God can comprehend the weight of this pain,” activist Hillary Kimani lamented on X, formerly Twitter.

An ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga called Gaucho, said on his X platform that the demonstrations will involve all families of people who have been killed by the state since the Uhuru Kenyatta regime. He added that the families will be accompanied by activists and political leaders to ensure justice for those killed by the state.

Gaucho explained on social media the plans for the demonstration, which have been widely shared through posters and hashtags.

“We have sent the fare so that those affected can come. We will include the families of those dumped in River Yala during former President Uhuru regime, the family of Ochuka, and we, Raila supporters, will join because we have suffered demanding an effective IEBC and the cost of living to come down,” Gaucho said, adding, “Western region has suffered a lot, and this Monday, it is the day to demand justice from the government.”

Students from the Technical University of Mombasa, led by their leaders, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to President William Ruto on January 4 over the abductions of young people. They demanded the immediate release of those abducted and called for their trial in a court of law.

Joseph Oloo, President of the Students Association, condemned the government for allowing abductions in a democratic nation.

“We are giving the government up to Sunday evening; failure to act will see us on the streets demanding the release of these people,” the president of the student association warned.

The students expressed that the country is burdened with the cries of families searching for their loved ones due to the ongoing abductions of young people.

Recent abductions include Gideon Kibet (aka Kibet Bull), taken on Christmas day along with his brother Rony Kiplang’at. Bernard Kavuli, who disappeared on December 22, 2024. Billy Wanyiri Mwangi and Peter Muteti who have been missing since December 21, 2024.

Despite mounting pressure from foreign missions representing countries in the European Union, the United States and United Kingdom, religious leaders, urging the government to end abductions, state officials and ardent supporters of President William Ruto administration have remained defiant.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Sirisia MP John Waluke, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, have either downplayed or dismissed reports of abductions.

Atwoli controversially claimed that some youth were staging their own abductions to solicit funds from civil society organizations.

“I work with many organizations worldwide... Some people are abducting themselves for monetary gain,” Atwoli said during a burial in Bungoma on Saturday.

At  the same event, Ichung’wah accused Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of hypocrisy, recalling his tenure as a Regional Commissioner under the previous administration, which was also accused of extrajudicial killings.

“The kind of politics you’re engaging in is meant to divide people on the basis of ethnicity. We will not be cowed,” Ichungwa remarked.

Governor Natembeya had described Atwoli’s claims as “unfortunate” and urged the government to release the abducted individuals. “I say this with a very heavy heart. For a leader to stand here and say people are abducting and killing themselves is unfortunate. Our children are getting lost and killed; that is the reality,” Natembeya said, appealing to President Ruto to take swift action.

As demonstrations are planned countrywide, the body of George Githinji Njiru, who went missing 16 days ago, was found showing signs of a brutal murder.