Rigathi Gachagua, the former Deputy President of Kenya, has made serious allegations that the recent wave of abductions is a tactic employed by the government to silence its critics. Gachagua claims that these abductions are intended to intimidate young people and prevent them from speaking out against the government, similar to how they protested against the Finance Bill, 2024. He argues that this strategy will not succeed in silencing Kenyans and highlights the disconnect between the current administration and the reality of the country’s situation.Gachagua further alleges that some top police officials have admitted to the ongoing abductions, with close to 100 Kenyans having been abducted and many still missing. He emphasizes that he has consistently opposed the use of force and has made his position known both privately and publicly to President William Ruto.In response, Inspector General Douglas Kanja has denied any police involvement in the abductions. Kanja stated that the National Police Service is not involved in any abductions and that no police station is currently holding any of the reported abductees. He also mentioned that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) will investigate the reported abductions and urged the public to report any useful information to the nearest police stations.
The situation has sparked significant public outcry and concern, with human rights groups and various stakeholders calling for accountability and justice for the victims of these abductions. The issue remains a contentious and sensitive topic in Kenya, with ongoing debates about the role of the government and security forces in these incidents.
Rigathi Gachagua has been vocal about the recent wave of abductions in Kenya, particularly targeting government critics. Here are some specific incidents and details related to these abductions:
- Abduction of Four Turkish Nationals:
- Four Turkish nationals were abducted from Kenya and repatriated despite being registered as asylum seekers with the United Nations. This incident has raised concerns among human rights groups about the safety of refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
- Abduction of Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, and Billy Mwangi:
- These individuals were allegedly abducted for sharing AI-generated images of President Ruto online. Their whereabouts remain unknown, and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has threatened legal action over these abductions. The LSK has also called for the immediate disclosure of the victims’ locations and their unconditional release or presentation before a court of law
- Gabriel Supeet: Supeetwas abducted and detained. No updates have been issued regarding his situation, and the LSK has urged families and close relations of the abducted individuals to come forward with comprehensive information to document the circumstances surrounding each case.
- Abduction of Uganda’s Opposition Leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye:
- Dr. Kizza Besigye was reportedly kidnapped in an apartment in Nairobi and taken to a military jail. This incident has drawn significant attention and condemnation from various human rights organizations and political figures.
General Statistics on Abductions:
- Since June 2024, there have been 82 reported cases of abductions in Kenya. This includes six cases reported in December alone. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has been actively documenting these incidents and calling for accountability from the government.
Gachagua’s Allegations:
- Gachagua has claimed that a secret unit operating from a CBD building is behind these abductions. He has also alleged that some security chiefs have confirmed the ongoing abductions, despite official denials from the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.
These incidents highlight a troubling trend of abductions targeting critics and dissidents in Kenya, raising significant concerns about human rights and the rule of law in the country.
