Catherine Kamau alias Kate Actress has spoken out about the rising cases of enforced disappearances in the country, calling for urgent attention to the plight of affected families.
In a statement shared on her Instagram Stories, the celebrated thespian highlighted the anguish and fear gripping families of the disappeared.
“Guys, as you celebrate, please note that so much is going on. So many abductions, which now the IG distances himself from, are going on… it’s a dark era. It is heart-wrenching to imagine the anguish and uncertainty these families must endure,” Kate Actress wrote.
Kate expressed her outrage at the government’s inaction and called for accountability.
“The absence of their loved ones is a constant reminder of how cruel and unjust this govt is, and it must go!” she added.
Her remarks follow the recent disappearances of three social media individuals; Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Bernard Kavuli, who were abducted after sharing AI-generated images online that were critical of President William Ruto.
IG Kanja on abductions
While Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has distanced his office from the abductions, the cases have reignited fears about the resurgence of forced disappearances.
Kanja reaffirmed that the National Police Service’s primary duty is to arrest lawbreakers, not to participate in abductions.
“The National Police Service is gravely concerned about the persistent allegations implicating officers in abductions within Kenya. To be clear, the Service’s constitutional mandate is to arrest criminal offenders, not to abduct individuals,” Kanja clarified.
He further stressed that no missing persons are being held in any police station nationwide and called on the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could harm the reputation of the police.
“For the 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.
“While Kenya is a democratic nation that upholds freedom of expression, this freedom comes with limitations and should always be exercised responsibly.”
Kate Actress joins a growing list of public figures and activists raising alarm over the rights violations.
