This is how I would have handled it - William Kabogo on Muturi’s abduction case

ICT Cabinet Secretary nominee William Kabogo has criticised Public Service CS Justin Muturi’s recent comments on abductions, saying he was "irresponsible."

Kabogo, speaking during his vetting, said that while he views himself as a leader rather than a politician, he was appalled by Muturi's remarks. He emphasised that, as a leader, one should prioritise the well-being of future generations over political concerns.

"I’m more a leader than a politician because politicians focus on the next election, while leaders focus on the next generation. So, I belong to that other side. From where I sit, that was very irresponsible of the Honourable JB Muturi,” he said.

He stated that if he was in Muturi’s position, he would have approached the appointing authority or raised the matter in Cabinet, and if unsatisfied, would have resigned in protest. He, however, made it clear that he does not agree with the government’s handling of the abduction crisis and its lack of transparency in addressing such incidents.

“If I were in his position, I would have directed my concerns to the appointing authority. If I feared confronting the authority, I would have raised it in the Cabinet. If still unsatisfied, I would have resigned because I do not believe in the government’s stance on abductions,” he said.

The criticism follows comments made by Muturi earlier this week, where he questioned the government’s actions regarding his son’s abduction. Muturi, who was speaking to the press on Sunday, revealed that his son Leslie Muturi, had been kidnapped in June 2024 in Nairobi’s Lavington area, an incident which he described as deeply traumatic for his family.

Muturi expressed frustration at the absence of clarity surrounding the case, noting that he had not received any explanation for his son's abduction or the conditions under which he was held. He also raised concerns about the government’s failure to address the broader issue of abductions, which has eroded public trust in national security institutions.

“I have personally suffered as my son was abducted, leaving my family in turmoil,” Muturi said.

“I’ve not gotten any answers as to why my son was abducted, held incommunicado, and nobody gave any reasons for that abduction.”

The Public Service CS called for more transparency from the authorities, urging them to release information about the number of people who have been abducted, the individuals who have been released, and those still missing.

Muturi’s call for answers comes amid a growing number of abductions in the country, with human rights groups estimating that over 80 Kenyans have been abducted since June 2024. Many of these individuals are believed to be critics of President William Ruto’s government.

Among the high-profile cases is the disappearance of five individuals—Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplangat, and cartoonist Gideon Kibet—who were reportedly abducted after voicing criticism of the government online. The five were later released 15 days after their disappearance, though questions persist regarding the identities of their captors.

Despite denials from the National Police Service (NPS) that the force is involved in the abductions, many victims have accused government operatives of being behind the disappearances.

The suspicions were heightened by the absence of key government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, from court proceedings on January 8.

In response to these concerns, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has sought to reassure the public, stating that investigations into the majority of abduction cases are progressing and are currently before the courts.

The DCI also assured the public that the case involving Leslie Muturi is being prioritised.

The agency also announced that several inquiry files have been opened, with investigations ongoing. Once completed, the DCI intends to forward the cases to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.