Political activist and INJECT Party leader Morara Kebaso has raised concerns about the government’s ability to protect its citizens amid a rise in cases of abduction and extrajudicial violence.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Morara accused the government of failing in its duty to ensure the safety of Kenyans.
He also called on sellers of self-defence tools to reduce their prices, seemingly urging citizens to take their security into their own hands.
“The government cannot protect you from abduction, torture, and extrajudicial execution. Are you ready to protect yourself by all means necessary? All sellers of self-defence tools, reduce your prices urgently,” Morara said.
His remarks come in the wake of the disappearance of three individuals; Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Bernard Kavuli who were abducted after sharing AI-generated images online that were critical of President William Ruto.
The disappearances have sparked outrage among human rights activists and the public, with many questioning the state’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting free speech.
Mwangi was abducted in Embu County by four masked, armed men who stormed a barber shop, forcing him into a pickup truck. His family links the incident to his social media post featuring an AI-generated image of President Ruto.
Peter Muteti was abducted in Uthiru, Nairobi, under similar circumstances after posting a similar AI-generated image of the President.
Bernad Kavuli was taken on Sunday evening in Ngong town at a petrol station. His abduction is reportedly tied to social media posts criticizing the government and revisiting the 2007 post-election violence.
Police involvement
In response to the allegations, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued an official statement on Thursday, December 26, 2024, denying any involvement by law enforcement in the abductions.
Kanja reiterated that the role of the National Police Service is strictly to apprehend lawbreakers and not to engage in abductions.
“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,” Kanja stated.
He also emphasized that no missing individuals were being held in any police station across the country and urged the public to refrain from disseminating unverified claims that could tarnish the image of the police force.
“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,” Kanja added.
