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Human rights commission unveils helpline for missing persons amid chaotic protests

A police officer pursues protesters outside the Supreme Court in Nairobi on June 25, 2024, during demonstrations against the Finance Bill. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

By Lucy Mumbi | Thursday, June 27, 2024

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) reported at least 12 suspected abductions of individuals involved in the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has introduced a helpline for the public to report missing loved ones during the ongoing nationwide protests against the now-withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024.

The initially peaceful protests, now a week old, have escalated into chaos, leading to abductions and fatalities among young people participating in the demonstrations.

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The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) reported at least 12 suspected abductions of individuals involved in the protests.

In a poster on Thursday, the commission urged the public to report missing persons last seen between June 20-25, 2024.

“Has your loved one gone missing during the recent wave of protests in Kenya and you have not been able to trace them? Contact us on: SMS: 22359 or toll free: 0800 720 627,” the Commission said.

Among those who were reportedly abducted on June 25, 2024 included social media and political activist Gabriel Oguda, popular X users Osama Otero, Drey Mwangi, TemperCR7, Harriet, Shad Khalif, Franje, Worldsmith and Hilla254. While most were later released, others remain unaccounted for.

President of the Law Society of Kenya Faith Odhiambo on Wednesday raised an alarm over another abduction case. Odhiambo took to her X account saying that Peter Nyamweya Oginga was abducted at 9.30pm in Juja.

“We are demanding his immediate release! No more abductions!!!,” Odhiambo tweeted.

She condemned the act and called for the immediate release of protesters in detention and urged accountability from law enforcement authorities.

“This is shocking! I feel like we are going back to the Moi era; the last we heard of abductions and torture chambers. Our country is singing about and in the region people are praising Kenyans such abductions coming back. Some of the abducted persons have been released but others remain unaccounted for,” she said.

Human rights groups termed the abductions a gross violation of human rights, prohibited under Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

“Enforced disappearance, as defined by Article 29 of the Constitution, involves the arrest, detention, or abduction of an individual by state agents or persons acting with state authorization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person’s fate or whereabouts. These actions undermine the rule of law and instil fear and uncertainty among the populace,” the groups said.

“We urge the government to immediately cease these unlawful practices and release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained.”