Court petition seeks to summon politicians over abduction remarks
The list includes Speaker Kingi, MPs Kimani Ichung'wah, Mwengi Mutuse, Junet Mohammed, Oscar Sudi among others.
Nine politicians could find themselves in trouble following a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and six other petitioners, seeking the court to summon them for cross-examination over their comments on the recent abductions in the country.
The petition, filed on Wednesday targets leaders who have publicly commented on the ongoing abductions.
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The list includes National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Kibwezi East MP Mwengi Mutuse, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Mathira MP Erick Wamumbi, and former MCA Sylas Tochim.
The petitioners are asking the court to order these politicians to appear for cross-examination in relation to their public remarks about the abductions.
The petition also allows any other interested parties to join the proceedings.
This legal move comes after remarks made during the burial of Moses Wetang'ula's mother on January 3, 2025, which sparked heated debate over the abductions.
Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya had called on President William Ruto to take action against the abductions, prompting several politicians to defend the President.
MP Ichung'wah, in particular, lashed out at the governor, accusing him of being involved in abductions during his time as Regional Police Commander.
"Shame on you, Governor Natembeya. You cannot complain about abductions when you were the key abductor of Kenyans under the last regime," he said.
The debate centred around the disappearance of six young Kenyans who were reportedly missing after allegedly posting critical images of the President.
On January 6, five of the missing individuals were released ahead of planned protests against the abductions, but details of their ordeal remain unclear.
The petition to summon the politicians comes as Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who had been summoned to court to explain the abductions, failed to appear.
Kanja cited prior security-related commitments for his absence.
However, the High Court has given IG Kanja one last chance to appear in court and explain what happened to the abducted youths or be jailed for contempt.
