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Opposition leader Raila Odinga has now called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for failure to deal with the increasing cases of abductions in the country.

The former Prime Minister also warned that this disturbing trend could ignite public protests, especially among the younger generation and demanded that the IG immediately tell Kenyans who was behind the abductions or admit that he is overwhelmed and resign from his position.

He further revealed that the manner in which the abductions were executed -the use of fake vehicle number plates and handcuffs –was so distinctive, implying it was the work of the security agencies.

Elsewhere, Uganda’s leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party Bobi Wine has cautioned against an emerging trend of abductions in Kenya saying the country risks taking a dangerous trajectory similar to Uganda.

Taking to social media, Wine lamented the alarming trend, particularly targeting critics of the government, with citizens allegedly disappearing at the hands of state operatives. “Very sad to see how fast Kenya is spiraling down,” Wine commented, referencing the abductions of young citizens critical of the government.

Likened to Museveni

He highlighted the dangers of normalizing such acts, drawing parallels to Uganda under President Yoweri Museveni, where abductions have become alarmingly frequent.

The Ugandan leader cautioned Kenya against falling into “Musevenism,” a term he used to describe the authoritarian practices that have plagued Uganda for decades.

And according to Raila, some of the functions of the National Police Service (NPS) include investigations into such serious, and detecting and preventing crimes and for the IG to claim that he was not aware was either due him not true to himself or out of touch with reality.

He said handcuffs were mainly used by security agencies and demanded to know where the abductors were getting them from to intimidate Kenyans and to hold them incommunicado.

Image of police

“The abductions are denting the good image of the police service. The abductors use handcuffs; where do they get them from? And IGP is telling us he is not aware of such actions.  Is he true to himself or out of touch with reality?” Raila posed.

He was speaking in Kano during a function hosted by one of the Luo Council of Elders Mzee J Ondere where he was flanked by Nyando MP Jared Okello and Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, Kisumu County Assembly majority leader Ken Ouma and minority chief whip Seth Kanga among others.

Already, many Kenyans, especially the Gen Z have taken to social media platforms to express their outrage and indicate their willingness to organize demonstrations if the abductions are not dealt with.

Under Article 245 (7), the IG may be removed from office on the grounds of serious violation of this Constitution or any other law and incompetence among other reasons.

The Constitution also requires the NPS to, among other things, strive for the highest standards of professionalism and discipline among its members and also comply with constitutional standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

During a recent visit to Homa Bay, President William Ruto promised to address and put an end to these abductions, highlighting the government’s acknowledgement of the issue.

He however expressed disappointment with what he termed negative and raging trend of social media jibes directed at him and other prominent leaders, and urged parents to bring up their children in the right way by inculcating moral values in them to avoid sliding into deviance.