An opposition politician and several other protesters were arrested in Kenya on Monday during a street demonstration calling for an end to alleged kidnappings that have recently targeted critics of the youth government.
Senator Okiya Omatata joined hundreds of protesters who took to the streets of the capital, Nairobi, chanting slogans calling on police to release seven people kidnapped this month.
Police fired tear gas shells at the protesters and when Omtata and several others did not disperse and maintained a long chain, they were arrested.
The Kenya National Human Rights Commission on Thursday expressed concern over the rising number of alleged abductions of government critics, bringing the total number of such cases to 82 since anti-government protests began in June.
President William Ruto on Saturday said the government will stop kidnappings so the youth can live in peace.
Rights groups allege that the country’s police force is behind such kidnappings, but police have denied any involvement and say they are investigating the disappearances.
Senator Omtata on Monday filed a case at the High Court in Nairobi, seeking to compel the government to release seven youths he accused of kidnapping the police.
“If they have committed any crime, they should be prosecuted and produced in court for their defence,” he said.
The young protesters said they were in solidarity with those abducted during their daily lives.
“We exist in a time where we have to live in fear,” said Orpah Thabiti, a protester.
Four social media users have disappeared after sharing AI-generated images of President Ruto that government supporters deemed offensive.
The rights commission warned that Kenya was returning to the “dark days” of disappearances of government critics. Kidnapping and torture of the opposition were common under the administration of the late President Daniel Moi.
