Ruto Vows to End Kenya’s Abduction Crisis

Kenyan President William Ruto has vowed to put an end to abductions in the country following a series of disappearances that have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, lawyers, and politicians.

Speaking to a crowd in Homa Bay on Friday, Ruto acknowledged the growing outcry and promised that the government would act to ensure the safety of its citizens.

“We are going to stop the abductions so that our youth can live peacefully,” he said, while also urging parents to take responsibility for their children.

The disappearances, many involving young men critical of the government, have escalated since youth-led anti-government protests in June and July. Security forces have been accused of carrying out illegal detentions, a claim they have repeatedly denied.

However, activists and rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have dismissed these denials, pointing to evidence of a coordinated unit involving multiple security agencies.

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The Law Society of Kenya has questioned the police’s inaction, stating, “If indeed the police are not complicit, they must immediately investigate and prosecute those responsible.”

This is not the first time Ruto has addressed the issue. In his November state of the nation speech, he condemned any excessive or extrajudicial actions by security forces but also defended some detentions as legitimate arrests of “criminals and subversive elements.”

The president’s recent remarks have done little to quell public frustration. Protests have erupted in parts of the country, with demonstrators demanding accountability for the missing individuals.

Adding to the controversy, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged the existence of a secret unit orchestrating the disappearances. “Abducting these children and killing them is not a solution,” Gachagua said, accusing the current administration of unprecedented repression targeting young people.