Muturi criticises PS Omollo over abduction remarks, says govt must protect Kenyans
By Aloys Michael, July 7, 2026Former Attorney General Justine Muturi has criticised Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo over his remarks dismissing claims of abductions and enforced disappearances, accusing the government of failing to protect Kenyans and hold perpetrators of violence accountable.
Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Muturi questioned the government’s response to recent incidents of violence and arrests witnessed during anti-government protests, saying public evidence contradicts official statements.
“But the truth is that we see on television police officers standing there while those goons are right beside them, just as we saw in Keumbu, where the police stood shoulder to shoulder with the goons without arresting them,” Muturi said.
The former AG said he was shocked by Omollo’s assertion that no arrests had been made, insisting that Kenyans had witnessed security officers detaining protesters in full view of the public.
“I saw PS Omollo speaking, and I was astonished because nowadays it seems everyone, starting from those at the very top, is educated. How can you stand before people, the whole world, and say that no one has been arrested? Yet we saw people being arrested, and even today, people were arrested. I even saw some trying to flee because they wanted to bundle them into a Subaru,” Muturi stated.
Muturi argued that the government has a constitutional obligation to safeguard citizens’ lives and property, adding that authorities should take action against individuals attacking peaceful Kenyans.
“The government has a duty to protect the property and lives of its citizens. If the government refuses to arrest those attacking Kenyans, then it has a responsibility to arrest those who are assaulting Kenyans. So far, we have not seen the government take that action,” he said.
Omollo defends govt
His remarks came days after Omollo dismissed claims that the government was behind the abduction of activists and critics, insisting that many of the reported cases were either fabricated or self-orchestrated.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Omollo maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration does not condone enforced disappearances.
“The cases that I would call purported abduction are people sleeping or locking themselves in their bedrooms and then they go out there,” Omollo said.
He further claimed that some individuals deliberately stage disappearances to attract publicity or portray the government in a negative light.
“Mwishowe unapata ni watu walikuwa wamejificha kibinafsi, ama kwa ile kutafuta umaarufu, ama kujaribu kutuonyesha kwamba kama serikali hatuzingatii maslahi ya Wakenya ama tunadhulumu Wakenya,” Omollo said.
The Interior PS also argued that abductions were more prevalent under the previous administration than they are today.
“Hiyo mambo ya utekaji nyara ni mambo ilipitwa na wakati. Actually, katika ile serikali iliyopita, ndio tulikuwa na hiyo changamoto ya watu walikuwa wanatekwa nyara.Tangu tuchukue usukani, na Mheshimiwa Rais William Ruto has been very clear katika uongozi wake, hakutakuwa na mambo kama hayo,” he said.
Omollo’s remarks have continued to generate debate amid growing concern from opposition leaders, human rights organisations and families seeking answers over missing persons linked to recent anti-government demonstrations.
No abduction records?
His position has also received backing from Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, who recently stated that there is no evidence of abductions under President Ruto’s administration.
Speaking during a television interview on July 2, 2026, Sigei argued that public claims of enforced disappearances should be supported by evidence and ongoing investigations.
“And so, I would close by saying, ‘No more abductions because we have not seen them’,” Sigei said.
“I also would like to agree with not only the tone of how this statement is coming through but also, we don’t have evidence of people who were abducted and families complaining,” he added.
Sigei maintained that security agencies should be allowed to complete investigations into individual cases, saying the national conversation on alleged abductions should be guided by facts rather than speculation.
However, Muturi’s criticism reveals the widening divide over the government’s handling of alleged abductions and violence during protests.
While senior government officials continue to deny State involvement and insist there is no policy of enforced disappearances, critics argue that visible arrests, reports from affected families and unresolved cases demand greater transparency, accountability and decisive action from security agencies.