Kindiki: Police officers involved in alleged abductions to be prosecuted

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday stated that any police officer or citizen found to be involved in alleged abductions during protests will face prosecution.

The CS emphasised that the government will not tolerate any violations of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Kindiki reiterated the government's duty to respect and protect the constitutional rights of all citizens.

The Interior boss added that state agencies responsible for these matters will investigate the alleged cases. "The government has noted with concern claims of abductions and enforced disappearances allegedly perpetrated by security personnel," Kindiki said.

"Independent Constitutional and statutory agencies will investigate and prosecute any person or official who may be implicated with violating the Constitution by perpetrating confinement of any person outside the law," he added.

In addition, the Interior CS said that all individuals within Kenya's territory are protected from unlawful arrests, abductions, and enforced disappearances.

He stated that this protection also covers any illegal methods of detaining suspected criminals for investigations or any other reason.

Kindiki further warned that organizers and financiers of crimes during the protests will not be spared. He added that they too will be prosecuted once investigations are completed.

Last week, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leadership handed over a report on at least 39 missing persons from the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

LSK, led by President Faith Odhiambo, lodged a formal report to the Director of Criminal Investigation, requesting an investigation into the alleged series of abductions.

President William Ruto has promised that action will be taken against police officers who will be implicated in the abduction of Kenyans during anti-government protests.

Ruto, who was speaking during his inaugural X Space conversation with the youth on Friday, said police have clear rules of how to arrest people if they have to take in suspects.

"If anything is done outside the procedure, then it is illegal and punishable by law," he stated.