Ruto stresses youth mentorship as backlash over abduction mounts

President William Ruto has again urged senior citizens to help nurture the youth to become productive members of society even as pressure mounts on his administration to release abducted critics.

Speaking at AIC, Koiwa Town in Konoin, Bomet County on Sunday, the President said parents, religious leaders, and politicians all have a role in securing the youth's meaningful future.

"We do not have the luxury of a blame game or pointing fingers. We should all secure the future of our children, it is our responsibility," he stated.

He said the youth need mentorship and guidance as they chart their future. "We should think about the next generation. We should educate them and provide mentorship and guidance. We should not let them get into traps, drugs, and things like femicide," he added.

Despite promising to act on the increased wave of abductions and forced disappearances while speaking on Saturday in Homa Bay, Ruto has not commented further on when those abducted by persons believed to be working for his government will be released.

On Sunday, Ruto's church event was also attended by governors Hillary Barchok (Bomet) and Erick Mutai (Kericho) and lawmakers Mathias Robi (Kuria West), John Njuguna Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Linet Chepkorir (Bomet Woman Rep), Francis Sigei (Sotik), Richard Kilel (Bomet Central), Johanna Ng'eno (Emurua Dikirr) and Eddy Ochieng (Migori Senator) and a host of MCAs.

In his address to the faithful, Ruto maintained that leaders should watch out for the youth so that they could have a promising future.

"As a government, we will do our part. Parents and religious leaders should also play their part," he stated.

Ruto's administration is continuing to face criticism over abductions from political leaders, clerics and rights organisations.

According to Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Houghton Irungu, under international law, abductions are also enforced disappearances.

He explains further that under the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances, "an enforced disappearance is the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of the State."

He notes that what is missing from the police statement on abduction is any indication that they are actively investigating the enforced disappearances.

"The IG's statement did not indicate that his officers have recorded any witness statements, interviewed family members or dusted crime scenes. Enforced disappearances remove victims from the protection of the rule of law," says Irungu.

He adds that abductions threaten citizens' collective right to freedom, a fair trial, and life. In his view, under international and national la