Siaya Governor James Orengo has come out to condemn the issue of abductions in the country.
Speaking at a roadside rally in Kitengela, Kajiado County on Sunday, November 17, 2024, Governor Orengo lamented over the upsurge of cases of abductions in the country and other forms of insecurity.
In his address, Orengo asked the Kenya Kwanza administration to act swiftly and prevent the issue from becoming a national threat
“We don’t want any more abductions in Kenya,” Orengo stated amid wild cheers from a handful of the crowd which had gathered along the road.
His sentiments come even as the Inspector General of Police absolved security officers from abductions. Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on National Administration and Internal Security, Kanja defended the National Police Service insisting none of the security officers are involved in the 59 cases of abductions reported in the country since June 2024.
“As police, we don’t kidnap or abduct, we only arrest and detain the individuals in the gazetted police station and forward the cases to the courts in the event we believe that an individual has a case to answer,” IG Kanja remarked during the session with MPs.
Kanja disclosed that out of the reported cases of disappearances, 22 were found alive, two are dead and 29 are still missing. However, he assured the country that the security agencies are fast-tracking investigations on the remaining cases.
“Even in the event that Police officers were involved, we want to assure Kenyans that no one is above the law. If investigations show anyone is involved, they will have their day in court,” the Inspector General stated.
Recently Catholic bishops also joined the nation in condemning abductions and asked the Kenya Kwanza administration to act.
IDs cost
Besides the issue of abductions, Orengo also pushed back over the latest policy requiring Kenyans to pay to get National Identity cards.
Orengo openly opposed the move asking the Kenya Kwanza administration to drop the policy.
“We also don’t want when youth go to apply for National Identification cards, they are asked to pay,” Orengo stated while telling the residents that they have the powers to make a bold decision regarding the next government.
The government had intended to increase the fee for first-time ID applications to Ksh1,000 but after uproar, it reviewed the cost downward to Ksh300.
Kenya Kwanza administration also reviewed the fee for the replacement of lost IDs to Ksh1,000 instead of the intended Ksh2,000.
At the same time, Orengo appealed to Kenyans to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), especially the youth. The first-time governor maintained that the party is ready to mentor them and put them on the path of taking over the country’s leadership.
He was accompanied by various youthful leaders including Kasmuel McOure who recently announced that he had joined ODM.
