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Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Abductions

Kenya is currently experiencing a concerning surge in abductions, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances, particularly targeting government critics. This escalation has been condemned by some leaders and lobby groups.

So today, talks are expected to centre around these incidents. Opposition leaders, lobbyists, and human rights defenders are expected to continue demanding the release of the three individuals who are still missing.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja denied police involvement in these incidents.

“The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that police officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya,” he astated.

He emphasized that the police’s constitutional mandate is to arrest, not abduct, offenders.

Bill Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru, and Bernard Kavuli were among the recent abductions reported in December 2024. These incidents occurred on different dates across Embu, Nairobi, and Kajiado counties.

IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, in a statement on December 25, 2025, announced that the authority is investigating recent abduction cases allegedly linked to the National Police Service (NPS). He confirmed the deployment of Rapid Response Teams to gather information from affected areas to determine the circumstances and potential police involvement.

“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority is concerned with the rising cases of abductions of various persons allegedly by members of the National Police Service (NPS). This is after reports of the abductions emerged in mainstream media and in social media,” Hassan said.

The abductions, reported during anti-government protests between June and August 2024, have left at least 26 young people still missing.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported a rise in abductions and enforced disappearances, with 13 cases recorded in the last three months, bringing the total to 82 since June 2024. Seven cases occurred in December 2024, with six individuals still missing, increasing the number of missing persons to 29 since June.

Festivities

The festive season is still alive and kicking. The merrymaking is far from over, and for many, the upcountry festivities are in full swing. Families are still feasting, laughing, and pretending that January is knocking with its bills and responsibilities.

The streets of social media are lit up with memes, videos, and all kinds of merry chaos.