A section of youths in Embu County on Friday, December 27, 2024, staged protests in solidarity with the family of Billy Mwangi who was reportedly abducted after criticizing President William Ruto.
Images seen by K24 Digital show the agitated youth taking to the streets demanding the release of Mwangi who was abducted a week ago.
Roads were barricaded as some shops were shut.
Police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the residents and put out the fire set up on the roads.
The demos come amid growing concerns over the surge in abductions of youth chastising Ruto’s governance.
Leaders from the political divide have joined citizens in condemning the abductions and called on President Ruto to intervene and secure the release of those abducted.
Police on abductions
Police issued a statement denying their involvement in the act saying no police station in the country is holding the reported abductees.
The officers similarly defended themselves noting that they are only mandated to arrest criminal offenders and not abduct them.
“The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that police officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya. For clarity, the constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct, but arrest criminal offenders.
“For avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees,” Police IG Douglas Kanja said on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
He also called on members of the public to stop accusing the police service as it is likely to ruin their reputation.
“Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility,” he added.
