Anger over a series of abductions in Embu reached a boiling point as residents rejected President William Ruto’s condolence message during the burial of Eric Mutugi, son of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi faced backlash when mourners interrupted him while he attempted to read Ruto’s message.
“I have been given a message of condolence from His Excellency the President…” Muturi started, but his words were drowned out by the crowd’s discontent. Kiraitu Murungi, a local leader, questioned the government’s inability to address the abduction crisis, saying, “Are there stones which are so heavy that the government cannot identify who is abducting our children?”
Muturi acknowledged the government’s failure to resolve the recent spate of abductions, noting that at least six families have been searching for their sons for nearly two weeks without answers. “We must own up to our inefficiencies. We cannot be here celebrating a young soul while others are taken every day. We cannot claim ignorance; we are the government,” he stated.
One of the recent victims, 24-year-old Billy Mwangi, was abducted from a barbershop in Embu just days before Christmas. His family has been desperately seeking information both locally and in Nairobi, but their efforts have yielded no results.
The rising frustration among Embu residents underscores the urgent need for the government to address the ongoing crisis and provide answers to the affected families.
