Human rights groups in Kenya are blaming police for a recent increase in kidnappings of critics opposing government policies. Activists say at least 29 people are missing after raising concerns about poor governance.
Kenyan cartoonist Gideon Kibet said he was followed by unidentified men onto a bus while leaving a meeting in the capital Nairobi in December 2024. He said he was forced into a car by masked attackers, who tore his shirt and used it to cover himself. Tie his eyes and hands. Eventually Kibet was released.
Kibet has drawn cartoons mocking government figures such as President William Ruto. A caricature, showing the President in a coffin, went viral.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Kibet’s experience is one of 82 cases of abduction and enforced disappearance in just six months. Although Kibet and four others have been released, that has not been the case for dozens of others.
According to the national security report, from September 2023 to August 2024, Kenya saw a 44% increase in kidnappings compared to the same period last year. Authorities say there were 52 kidnappings in Kenya from September 2023 to August 2024, compared to 36 last year.
Rights groups say many of the victims are critics of bad governance.
“What we are seeing is essentially the use of extrajudicial power to instill fear among citizens who are legitimately protesting poor governance or the government,” said Irungu Hotten, executive director of Amnesty International Kenya. Are raising concerns with.
Some Kenyans have taken to social media to protest against the government on issues including tax increases and corruption. However, at a public event on Sunday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen described such critics as criminals.
“If criminals and people with bad behavior have moved to the digital space, I want to tell you that we will follow you there because we want to ensure that there is law and order there,” he said.
Kenyan lawyers have petitioned the country’s High Court to hold the Inspector General of Police responsible for the kidnapping. According to lawyers, the state is avoiding accountability.
“Our question is from July till today, there has been no investigation, no investigation has been approved, we are not being informed about those who are responsible,” said Gloria, a member of the Law Society of Kenya. Kimani said.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanza and Director of Criminal Investigation Mohammed Amin are scheduled to appear in court on Friday in connection with the kidnapping. Both have rejected the last three court summons in kidnapping cases.