KNCHR raises alarm over 82 abductions in six months, calls for justice for victims

Kenya's human rights watchdog has raised concerns over a surge in abductions, with 82 cases reported since June 2024. Of these, 13 occurred in the past three months, including seven in December.

Alarmingly, six victims from December up to date remain missing, adding to the 29 individuals still unaccounted for since June.

The six are Steve Kavingo Mbisi from Machakos, Billy Wanyiri Mwangi from Embu, Peter Muteti from Uthiru, Nairobi and Bernard Kavuli from Ngong, Nairobi, Others are Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull, from Nairobi, and Rony Kiplang'at from Kiambu.

Naomi, also known by her online name @Jabertotoo, is said to have been abducted in Ruaraka, Nairobi, and was later found.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is urging the Inspector General of Police to take decisive action.

"We call for immediate investigations, arrests of those responsible, and the unconditional release or lawful presentation in court of any illegally detained individuals," the Commission said in a statement.

Patterns of concern

KNCHR revealed that many of the abductions are carried out by unidentified armed individuals, often targeting vocal dissidents, particularly those active on social media.

The Commission has condemned the acts as torture and degrading treatment that contravene constitutional rights.

"Abductions have no place in a democratic state like ours," KNCHR noted, warning that the trend threatens to return Kenya to a period where fear silenced dissent.

The watchdog criticised the lack of arrests or meaningful progress, even in cases captured on CCTV. It reminded the government of its duty to safeguard human rights and urged the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

"Kenya must lead by example as a member of the Human Rights Council," the statement read further.

KNCHR pledged continued investigations and legal support for victims and their families, including filing habeas corpus petitions.

It also encouraged citizens to report human rights abuses through SMS (22359), email ([email protected]), or the toll-free line (0800720 627).

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has begun investigating these abductions, which have sparked widespread concern.

IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan on Wednesday expressed alarm over the rising cases and emphasized the need for justice. "The Authority is deeply concerned about the rising cases of abductions allegedly linked to the police," Hassan said.

"It is the duty of the National Police Service to protect all persons in Kenya against such violations of fundamental rights."

IPOA has deployed rapid response teams to gather evidence and determine the involvement of law enforcement officers in the abductions.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja has firmly stated that anyone involved in abductions is committing a crime and must be prosecuted. The IG clarified the role of police officers in the line of duty.

"Ours is to arrest, not abduct," and called on Kenyans to distinguish between legal arrests by uniformed officers and illegal abductions," he said.

Addressing the growing concerns over the rise in abductions, Kanja made it clear that those who abduct commit crimes, and those crimes are ordinary, presented before a court of law for a judge to decide.

He stressed that police officers cannot violate the law by holding suspects in illegal detention without due process.

The IG urged Kenyans to refrain from sharing false information on social media, aimed at tarnishing the good name of the police.

"Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility. We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed, and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service."