James Gakuya faults Interior PS Omollo over response to abductions
By Faith Lagat, July 2, 2026Embakasi North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gakuya has criticised Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo over his remarks on reported abductions, saying claims that some disappearances are stage-managed contradict evidence from recent cases.
Speaking during a television interview on Wednesday, July 2, 2026, Gakuya said reports of enforced disappearances continue to concern Kenyans despite President William Ruto’s earlier assurances that the practice would end.
His remarks followed Omollo’s June 30, 2026, press briefing, in which the principal secretary said that some reported abductions had been orchestrated to portray the government negatively.
“When the PS wants to stand on camera and tell Kenyans that most of the abductors are those who stage-manage their abduction, I would like to say it is contrary,” he said.
Abductions remain a national concern
Gakuya referred to the period following the June 25, 2026, protests, saying more than 40 young people were reportedly abducted, with some remaining unaccounted for while others were later found dead.
He cited the case involving the son of former Attorney General and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, saying the incident raised questions about those responsible for the disappearances.
“The young man was abducted, and despite the father engaging various state security agencies without success, intervention at State House led to his release from a government facility,” Gakuya said.
“That tells you exactly that the abductors are not foreigners… the abductors are locals and it is the state itself.”
He added that many reported abductions have allegedly involved security agencies.
Gakuya also noted that the government had adopted an ODM proposal to support families of abducted and disappeared persons, saying Ksh2 billion had been allocated as part of efforts to address the issue.
He further alleged that during the June 25 anniversary protests, several more youths disappeared, including one from Mathare who was later found at Kenyatta National Hospital after reportedly being tortured.
Calls for accountability
Gakuya said both the Interior Principal Secretary and the Inspector-General of Police should account for those still missing.
“The PS cannot stand on camera to say he does not know. He’s a PS security. He’s a PS interior. If he has no answers, where else do you expect us to get answers from?” he said.
He maintained that anyone arrested should be processed within the law and presented before a court within 24 hours as required by the Constitution.
Omollo told journalists on June 30 that the government does not condone enforced disappearances and said some people reported as abducted had later resurfaced or gone into hiding. He also said such incidents were more prevalent under the previous administration and that President William Ruto had made it clear they would not be tolerated.
IPOA launches investigations
The debate comes as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) investigates cited abductions, assaults and excessive use of force during the June 25 demonstrations.
On July 1, 2026, the authority said it had launched investigations into reports of enforced disappearances and confirmed that at least seven people were allegedly abducted during the protests. Among the cases under investigation is that of Mathare activist Davis Lichuma, who was reportedly abducted, tortured and later found outside Kenyatta National Hospital.
IPOA also said it documented 355 arrests across the country, including 161 in Nairobi, and is investigating claims that some officers operated in balaclavas, plain clothes and vehicles with concealed number plates.
Separately, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has warned against alleged cases of self-abductions ahead of the 2027 General Election while maintaining that any extra-legal actions remain unacceptable.
Gakuya said the country should uphold the rule of law in handling all arrests and investigations.
“It is a madness that we must stop. Because one, it’s against the law. It is against our constitution.”