Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga has urged Kenyans to be vigilant and to refrain from vilifying the police amid ongoing accusations of police involvement in abductions.
Speaking in a radio interview, Chidzuga emphasized the importance of reporting missing persons to the authorities rather than spreading unfounded allegations against law enforcement.
“If someone is missing, the best course of action is to file a report with the police so that investigations can be conducted, rather than vilifying them,” she stated and cautioned that framing the police only serves to let the real criminals evade justice.
Chidzuga called on parents and families of the abducted to report incidents urgently to aid in investigations. She also reminded social media users that while freedom of expression is important, it should not be misused for online attacks.
On another note, she expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for addressing issues related to youth and silhouettes, noting that such matters might not be tolerated in other countries.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also defended the police, firmly denying any government policy involving abductions or enforced disappearances. He reassured the public that anyone arrested by the police should be taken to court within 24 hours, asserting that the National Police Service (NPS) has not failed to adhere to this requirement.
Murkomen reiterated the independence of the NPS, stating, “As a government, we agree that the NPS, under the command of the Inspector General, operates independently and we will not interfere with their work.” He expressed confidence in the police’s claims that they have not arrested anyone unlawfully.
While speaking in Bungoma at the home of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Murkomen issued a stern warning to those misusing digital platforms, stating that they would face arrest under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. “We will bring all offenders to justice,” he affirmed.
Echoing these sentiments, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed called for the police to take action against individuals involved in online bullying, urging that such actions should lead to arrests and charges to serve as a deterrent to others.
