NARC-Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua has accused President William Ruto of approving the recent wave of abductions occurring nationwide. During a discussion on Spice FM, Karua stated that the Kenya Kwanza administration has developed a reputation for targeting those who express dissenting views.
She raised concerns about the treatment of individuals who go missing, often reappearing days later—either alive or deceased. “I believe the executive is aware of those being abducted, and this has the backing of William Ruto himself. It’s become their trademark method of operation. This isn’t an isolated incident; we’re talking about tens, perhaps hundreds, of people being taken,” she remarked.
“If you’re in power and claim to be unaware of such events, then clearly you’re out of touch. There’s no way this can happen without their knowledge.”
Karua highlighted the recent arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi, who was taken from his home in Machakos County on Sunday morning and released the following day. “The Ruto regime is instilling fear, intimidating Kenyans, and silencing dissent. Look at Boniface Mwangi—he merely asked people to participate in the Stanchart marathon while wearing the national flag. Is that incitement?” she questioned.
“If someone has truly committed an offense, there is a legal process for their apprehension and questioning. However, if individuals are taken clandestinely, it’s because they pose a threat to the administration,” she added.
According to Karua, social media has been instrumental in raising awareness about the abductions, prompting some individuals to reappear after going missing.
“It seems as though Dr. Ruto has effectively suspended the constitution without formally declaring it. We cannot allow state agencies or police officers in plain clothes to carry out abductions without accountability,” she emphasized.
“Why are they unwilling to disclose where they are taking someone? The only reason they brought Boni to Kamukunji was due to media scrutiny. If they intended to take him to a police station, why couldn’t they state that at the time of his apprehension?”
Her comments come in light of previous condemnations by human rights groups regarding the Kenyan police’s conduct during recent protests led by Gen Z.
In July, Amnesty International reported 361 injuries, 627 arrests, and 32 abductions during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
“Abductions and detentions are not the same as arrests. Many individuals taken by state officers were not informed of any charges or booked into police stations. Numerous individuals have been held incommunicado, denied access to their families, legal representation, and medical care,” Amnesty stated.
The situation worsened when President Ruto claimed ignorance of any abductions connected to the anti-government protests.
“As I speak today, I don’t have a single name of someone who has been abducted or gone missing. The PS for Interior, Raymond, is here. If you have the name of anyone who attended the protests and has disappeared, please provide it so we can address the issue,” Ruto said during a town hall meeting in Kisumu on August 29, 2024.