Police IG Douglas Kanja has maintained that the police are not involved in the recent abductions of the youths criticizing President William Ruto’s regime.
This comes amid mounting pressure from the public over the whereabouts of Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti and Bernard Kavuli, who were abducted after posting images criticizing President Ruto.
In a press release shared on Thursday, December 26, 2024, the police IG expressed concern over the matter insisting that the police are only mandated to arrest criminal offenders and not abduct.
He also stated that there is no police station in the country holding the reported abductees.
“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,” IG Kanja said.
Continuing his statement, IG Kanja appealed to citizens to refrain from spreading what he described as false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed and unverified information aimed at ruining the reputation and image of the police.
“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.
Further, Kanja while reaffirming the police’s commitment to serving and protecting citizens, urged those with information on the missing persons to report to the nearest police station.
