
President William Ruto has publicly acknowledged the abuses committed by Kenya’s security forces, following widespread demonstrations against a surge of alleged kidnappings that have ignited public outrage.
In recent months, security forces in the East African nation have faced accusations of conducting numerous illegal detentions, particularly after youth-led anti-government protests in June and July were met with severe repression. On Monday, police forcibly detained dozens of peaceful protesters and deployed tear gas during small rallies demanding the release of individuals who have gone missing.
While the police have denied any involvement in these disappearances, activists have raised concerns about a lack of investigation into the cases. Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch indicated that its findings pointed to a unit composed of various security agencies being involved in the alleged abductions.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported last week that it has documented seven cases of abduction this month alone, with six of those individuals still unaccounted for. In total, 29 of the 82 people reported missing since June remain missing, according to the KNCHR.
As tensions continue to rise, the government’s response to the growing calls for accountability and transparency regarding the actions of security forces will be closely scrutinized. The situation remains fluid, with many citizens demanding urgent action to address these grave concerns.