President Ruto: Independent bodies must probe and prosecute those behind wave of abductions

President William Ruto has again waded into the ongoing abductions debate throwing the weight of the matter to independent offices tasked with probing and prosecuting extra-judicial killings (EJK) in the country.

"The police must do what they have to do. The IG of Police, Deputy IG of Police Mr Masengeli who is here, and the Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Igonga who is also here, know what to do. They run independent institutions but we will support them to make sure that Kenya continues to be a country under the rule of law," he said.

The President spoke while addressing mourners in Kabuchai, Bungoma County at the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula's mother, the late Maayi Nanyama.

He admitted that Kenyan allies and partners are watching the events happening and expressing concern over the ongoing talks over abductions and other issues affecting the country.

"To the dignitaries, just know that this is the country I run. I am supposed to make sense of all this and provide direction on how we are going," he said in response to their growing concerns.

President Ruto then reiterated his promise to end EJKs in the country, ensure police independence, and ensure the timely resolution of all pending EJK cases.

"I took a firm decision when I took over, I said that we must stop Extra-Judicial Killings in Kenya. I did not just say it, I took steps and said the operational budget and the financial independence of the National Police Service must be removed from the Office of the President and be moved to that of the Inspector General of Police so that the police service being an independent institution can make independent decisions on investigations, prosecutions and on maintaining the rule of law. Mine and my administration is to provide policy," he said.

"We have been absolutely clear that any criminality must be investigated, whether by citizens or criminals or undertaken by the police. It must be investigated and we must get to the bottom of any criminal activity in Kenya. That is my directive and I will repeat again, that that is how we are going to run the affairs of our nation and anybody in breach must live with the consequences of the law."

Divided opinion

Earlier, leaders present at the event had clashed over the ongoing abductions with some openly expressing their support to them as a move to silence dissent. In contrast, others denounced it calling for its end, as others claimed the victims were abducting themselves.

"Everybody here is right in their own way... that is how things are in the country but I want us to celebrate the democracy we have but be cautious so that it does not exceed the levels that disrupt peace and unity in the country. Let us address each other with respect even when we differ so that we can move forward together," the President said about those remarks.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) had last year placed the number of abducted Kenyans at 82, the majority of whom were victims of the anti-government protests in June 2024.

The commission explained that there were 13 more cases of abductions or enforced disappearances in the last three months bringing to 82 the total cases since June 2024.

Seven of the recent abduction cases were reported in December 2024 with six 6 of them still missing, bringing to 29 the total number of persons still missing since June 2024.

"The Commission strongly condemns these abductions which fall outside the dictates of the Constitution. Abductions are torture, cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment: a non-derogable right. They have no place in a democratic state like ours! The Commission warns that if these patterns of abductions continue, then we shall be rapidly retrogressing back to the dark days of our history when such attacks were primarily to inflict fear on any person critical of the Government," the statement signed by the commission's Chairperson Roselene Odede added.