On Monday, protesters in Nairobi, Kenya, gathered in large numbers to demand an end to the abductions of individuals critical of the government.
Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, arresting opposition politician Senator Okiya Omtatah and several others during the protest.
Among the protesters were families of those who have gone missing, including Serah Njeri, the mother of an abducted blogger. She pleaded passionately, saying, “I am here so that my child can be released. This is my child. I ask the government to please say where he is. I would rather you kill me—here I am. Many others are here with me. Release our children, please.”
The Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights has raised alarm over the increasing number of government critics who have reportedly disappeared. According to the commission, 82 people have been abducted since anti-government demonstrations began in June.
Rights groups have accused Kenya’s police force of involvement in the disappearances, though the police have denied these allegations, claiming they are investigating the cases.
Some protesters, however, held the government directly accountable. Senator Okiya Omtatah criticized President William Ruto’s administration, saying, “The government of President Ruto must stop abducting people. These actions, targeting critics, show this regime has become rogue. We are here to demand that the regime follows the rule of law or vacates office.”
Tensions escalated further after several social media users disappeared following the circulation of AI-generated images of President Ruto, which were deemed offensive by government supporters.
In response to growing public outcry, President Ruto over the weekend promised that his administration would put an end to the abduction.
Africanews/Patience Ameh
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