The ongoing abductions across the country are tarnishing the legacy of President Ruto’s government. Having come to power on the promise of protecting all Kenyans, the Kenya Kwanza government seems to have forgotten its mandate.
The damning statistics released by the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) should alarm every Kenyan who has witnessed the country’s transition from a single-party state to a multiparty democracy. Despite the challenges it has faced, Kenya remains a beacon of hope in the region and across the African continent. According to KHRC, since June 25, 2024, 89 individuals have been abducted by state machinery, a trend that has worsened following the Gen-Z protests.
While we may not agree with the methods young people use to express their dissatisfaction with the current regime, we can all agree that the law, as stipulated by the Constitution, is supreme. For instance, the Cybercrimes Act provides a legal framework for addressing cybercrimes in Kenya. Arresting individuals who overstep their freedoms is allowed within the law. However, unlike the current arrests carried out by unknown individuals and shrouded in secrecy—with state organs denying involvement—constitutionally mandated arrests must be conducted openly, with suspects arraigned in court. The ongoing abductions signal an abdication of constitutional principles by the government and must be condemned.
At the height of his opposition politics leading up to the 2022 elections, President Ruto and his political allies condemned the use of state machinery to settle political scores, particularly following the abduction of Denis Itumbi. It is troubling to see how quickly they seem to have been stricken by amnesia, transforming into perpetrators of the very acts they once decried.
High-profile individuals have not been spared either. Veteran journalist Mr. Macharia Gaitho and outspoken politician Hon. Alfred Keter are among those who have suffered similar fates. This suggests that the figure of 89 abductees may be an underestimate, with many cases going unreported to KHRC.
With the co-optation of leading opposition parties and figures, ordinary Kenyans must now step up as the opposition to check the excesses of the government. While politicians call for responsible use of online platforms, they must also adhere to the Constitution and laws governing the country in addressing these abductions.
Unless reason prevails, these abductions will continue to overshadow the government’s developmental achievements and tarnish the country’s democratic legacy in the East African region. As the nation mourns the passing of Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) chairperson Hon. Roseline Odede, it is high time we reaffirm our commitment to upholding the sanctity of life. In her words: “Human rights are not a favor but an entitlement. The state, as the duty bearer, has the responsibility to respect, fulfill, and uphold all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Abductions stifle democracy | Nation