The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has demanded an explanation from the government over the whereabouts of Kenyans who have been missing on suspicion of being abducted.

The Orange party through its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna says it is unacceptable for abductions to be happening under the watch of President William Ruto.

In a statement shared via the ODM official social media accounts on Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Nairobi senator called out President Ruto for failing to keep his promise on abductions and extrajudicial killings.

When he assumed office after winning the 2022 presidential elections, Ruto assured Kenyans that there would be no extrajudicial killings and abductions that would happen during his tenure.

Sifuna argues that the continued silence by the government on the whereabouts of the missing Kenyans does not sit well with the citizens.

“Secretary General Edwin Sifuna wants the government to explain to Kenyans the whereabouts of abducted Kenyans who have been missing for a couple of weeks/days. He says it is unacceptable that despite promising to stop extrajudicial killings and abductions, such continue to happen under the watch of President Ruto. He says this is not sitting well with Kenyans,” ODM stated.

1/2 Sec. Gen. @edwinsifuna wants to the government to explain to Kenyans on the whereabouts of abducted Kenyans who have been missing for a couple of weeks/days. He says it is unacceptable that despite promising to stop extrajudicial killings and abductions, such continue to

— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) September 19, 2024

Sifuna’s statement comes hours after human rights activists raised similar concerns.

Activists raise concerns

Addressing a press conference in Mombasa on Thursday, September 19, 2024, members of the Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF) led by Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) director Khelef Khalifa demanded the immediate release of three people abducted in Kitengela, Boby Njagi, Aslam Longton and Jamil Longton.

Moreover, they called for called for a stop to what they have termed as police-led persecution of Kisumu-based activist Boniface Ogutu.

The activists further called out the immediate former acting Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli for disobeying court orders that demanded him to appear in court to explain the whereabouts of the missing Kenyans.

Masengeli’s failure to honour the court summons led to his conviction, and subsequent sentencing to six months in prison.

The activists have now called on Kenyans to initiate a citizens’ arrest against the Deputy Inspector General, should he fail to present himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to begin serving his six-month sentence.

“If Masengeli fails to do this, Kenyans will expect the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kindiki Kithure, to initiate steps to have him committed. The primary reason for the court summons against the Masengeli is to ensure that the three people abducted in Kitengela-Boby Njagi, Aslam Longton and Jamil Longton-are produced in court,” the activists stated.

“We still demand their immediate, unconditional release. Should the Interior CS fail to initiate the steps to commit Masengeli to prison, we urge the public to initiate citizens’ arrest against the immediate-former acting IG. We also demand a stop to the police-led persecution of Boniface Ogutu, an activist in Kisumu who has been leading pro-accountability protests in the county.”