The Judiciary of Kenya has added its voice to the ongoing discussion about the recent abductions in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, December 26, 2024, the Judiciary condemned the incidents stating that it is a violation of the Kenyan constitution and a direct threat to the rights of citizens.
The Judiciary further urged security agencies to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans by adhering to the rule of law.
“The Judiciary has taken note of recent reports of resurfaced abductions. Kenya is a constitutional democracy, where the rule of law stands as a foundational value and guiding principle of our governance. Abductions have no place in law and indeed are a direct threat to the rights of citizens.
“In light of these reports, we strongly urge security agencies and all connected entities to adhere to the law to safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms,” the Judiciary stated.
Judiciary’s sentiments come after Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja denied police involvement in the ongoing abductions.
IG Kanja on abductions
The IG in a statement on Thursday, December 26, denied police involvement in the ongoing abductions stating that no police station in the country is currently holding any of the persons reported to have been abducted.
In addition, Kanja urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Police Service.
“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 to 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, We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service,” Kanja stated.
Appealing to members of the public with any useful information on the missing persons to report to the nearest police stations, Kanja, in the statement assured Kenyans that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) will probe the said abductions.
“The matter in question is subject to investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and any other independent body. We appeal to anybody with relevant information about any missing person to report to the nearest police station,” he added.
The latest abductions to be recorded include Bill Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru, Bernard Kavuli, and an unnamed fourth individual which occurred on various dates in December 2024 across the Embu, Nairobi and Kajiado Counties.
