Omtatah: Abductions are part of plan to undermine Kenya's democracy
The lawmaker warned that these actions are part of a broader attempt to dismantle the country's democratic institutions.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has linked the rising cases of abductions in Kenya to efforts aimed at intimidating citizens advocating for good governance.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, the lawmaker warned that these actions are part of a broader attempt to dismantle the country's democratic institutions.
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Omtatah, a fierce critic of the Kenya Kwanza Government, expressed concern that public office has shifted from serving the people to fostering corruption.
"Public office is no longer for service but for theft," he said, stressing that the ongoing abductions are a tactic to create fear among Kenyans, particularly the youth, who are demanding better leadership.
The senator also spoke on his personal experience with the government since his arrest in December 2024, revealing that he has been barred from entering any government institutions, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices.
Senator Okiya Omtatah has warned that instilling fear in citizens undermines the stability of a republic. According to Omtatah, a republic thrives on predictability and a stable environment.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) January 7, 2025
Okiya Omtatah: Instilling fear in the hearts and minds of the people will dismantle the… pic.twitter.com/FJPNRah00Z
"Orders have been issued stating that I am not allowed to enter any government institution. If this can be done to a senator, what will happen to ordinary people?" he questioned.
Undermining democratic principles
Omtatah further claimed that there are deliberate efforts to undermine the country's democratic principles.
"I think someone is trying to dismantle this country as we know it. Somebody does not like a republic. That's why you are seeing that all the republican principles and institutions are being dismantled," he said.
His comments come at a time when the country is reeling from a surge in abductions, with several people who had been missing for weeks reappearing.
Among them was cartoonist Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull, who was dropped in Luanda, Vihiga County. However, Kibet chose not to share details of his experience.
The families of other missing individuals, including Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Rony Kiplangat, also received news of their loved ones' return.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 82 abduction cases have been reported since June 2024, with 13 occurring in the past three months alone.
