Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at leaders allied to the government over their stance on the abductions that have since been reported in the country.
Speaking on Sunday, January 5, 2024, when he attended a church service at the Guardian Angels Tetu Catholic Church in Nyeri town Constituency, Gachagua said that it was very wrong for a section of leaders to dispute the concerns that have been raised about the abductions.
Gachagua on abductions
The former Mathira Member of Parliament further stated that the bodies of missing persons that have since been recovered are enough evidence that abductions and extrajudicial killings are going on in the country.
Gachagua went ahead to question whether the youths whose bodies have been recovered, had abducted themselves, killed themselves and went ahead to dump their own bodies.
“We would like to ask our leaders waheshimu wakenya, kwa sababu wakati viongozi wetu wanasimama kusema ati vijana wetu ndio wanajiteka nyara, miili imepatika tatu. Sasa wakati unasema vijana wanajiteka nyara, unataka kutuambia hao bijana walijiteka nyara, wamejiua na wamejitupa kwa mtaro? Ni makosa sana kubeba wakenya ni kama ni wajinga. Hiyo maneno ya watoto kutekwa nyara ni mambo ambayo ni mbaya sana na ni vizuri tukubalie kupatia wakenya nafasi waongee,” Gachagua said.
Atwoli’s remarks
Gachagua was responding to the remarks made by Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) Secretary General Francis Atwoli who claimed that youths have been abducting themselves to get donor funds from international organisations.
Speaking in Kabuchai, Bungoma County on Friday, January 3, 2024, Atwoli said he is privy to such cases owing to his vast networks that transcend the borders.
“On abductions, I work with many organizations across the world, some people are abducting themselves so that they can get money from some organizations,” Atwoli said.
Atwoli added that parents must teach their children to be respectful people, who should not use social media in a bad way.
“Your right is not key to tamper with the rights of others. We must respect the office of the President,” he said.
Atwoli was speaking on Friday at a highly charged burial service of the mother of the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
Anti-abduction protests
There have been several cases of abductions that have been reported in the country, with youths who have been criticizing the government through social media, being the main targets.
A section of Kenyans have since vowed to stage protests on Monday, January 6, 2024, to demand the release of the abductees.
A similar protest was staged on Monday, December 30, 2024, which saw a section of activists including Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah arrested.
