The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has sharply criticised President William Ruto following his recent statements denying knowledge of police abductions. In a statement released on Friday, KHRC labelled the president’s comments as a “blatant lie” and demanded accountability for the alleged forced disappearances that have occurred.
The controversy began when President Ruto, during a town hall meeting in Kisumu, claimed he was unaware of any abductions related to recent anti-government protests. “As I talk to you today, I don’t have a single name of somebody who has been abducted or disappeared,” Ruto stated. He urged anyone with information on missing persons to report cases to the Ministry of Interior for further investigation.
The KHRC strongly refuted the president’s claiming to be unaware of any Kenyan forcibly disappeared by security agents during anti-government protests. The commission emphasized that families of those abducted and killed during the protests have yet to receive compensation or justice, despite the government’s awareness of these incidents.
On the International Day of the disappeared, KHRC also revealed the names of individuals who were reportedly abducted or killed in the recent demonstrations. They criticized the government for not addressing these cases adequately.
In response to the outcry, President Ruto has instructed the Interior Ministry to expedite investigations into all reported abductions. He reassured the public that the government would take “firm and decisive action” against those found responsible for any wrongdoing.
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President Ruto reiterated his commitment to upholding the rights of all Kenyans, stating that every citizen has the right to freedom of association without fear of inhuman treatment. “No Kenyan should be subjected to inhuman treatment because of their political stance,” he asserted.
The KHRC’s response highlights the ongoing tension between the government and human rights advocates over the handling of abduction cases and the broader issue of human rights in Kenya.