Take responsibility for protest-related deaths and abductions, ODM tells state

The opposition's ODM party wants the Kenya Kwanza government to take responsibility for the deaths, injuries, and destruction of property that have resulted from the "violent suppression of peaceful protests".

The Orange Democratic Movement, led by Raila Odinga, also expressed its disappointment on Tuesday that no one in President William Ruto's government had taken responsibility for alleged abductions or offered an apology.

ODM addressed a press conference in Nairobi, touching on matters including the brave action of Gen Z protesters, who led demonstrations that have so far seen the Finance Bill of 2024 withdrawn, and its plan to recall six of their MPs who voted in favour of the proposed laws.

The party criticised President Ruto for distancing his administration from the killings and abductions despite what it said was clear evidence to the contrary.

In an interview last week, Ruto said there had been no extrajudicial killings, that the police service is independent, that reported abductions were arrests, and that the people in question had likely ignored summonses.

Ruto denied that his administration had sanctioned abductions and pledged to pursue justice for families whose loved ones have died and punish criminals infiltrating the demonstrations.

In his speech, however, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said, "We have the most callous, insensitive, and obtuse regime in the history of Kenya."

"The government must never abdicate its responsibility to protect the lives and the property of its citizens, and if it does, it deserves to go," stated Sifuna who is Nairobi County's senator.

ODM claimed that at least 50 Kenyans abducted by security agents were being held incommunicado.

Sifuna said, "As we speak, reports are that upwards of 50 individuals have been illegally abducted and their whereabouts are unknown."

ODM described the abductions and other actions by the state as suppression techniques against peaceful protesters across the country.

"We condemn the ongoing arbitrary abductions of innocent Kenyans who are carted away in the most violent manner and held incommunicado for the day," Sifuna said, asking the government to immediately release the victims.

"The president must publicly direct his security organs to forthwith cease the ongoing abductions; an exercise we believe is being undertaken with the full approval of the state. He must account for and order the release of all detainees abducted by his security agencies," he added.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC) reported on Monday that it had data on 32 cases of forced disappearances, 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

The opposition party also called on the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite investigations into allegations of mass murder by the police in Githurai and Rongai.

Highlighting events of June 25, 2024, ODM said the situation amounted to a vote of no confidence in the Kenya Kwanza government. On that day, the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) reported that 13 people were killed following #OccupyParliament protests.

Odinga's party further emphasised its support for credible measures to curb resource wastage in the executive and parliament, condemning them as "citadels of largesse and wastage" and calling for honest scrutiny to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

"With fresh memory of the invasion of parliament and standing threats of the occupation of the executive's seat of power, these two institutions must have an honest introspection on their contribution to our current predicament and take measures to lessen the taxpayers' burden," Sifuna said.

He criticised Ruto for "petulant proposals on how we manage our economy following the rejection of his tax bill", saying that "instead of focusing on cutting wastage, opulence and corruption in his regime, he is hitting back with threats to cut funding for the Judiciary and county governments".