Senator Onyonka raises concerns over ODM’s silence on recent abductions

Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka has questioned the continued silence of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), on the recent abductions in the country.

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, Onyonka demanded to know why the Orange party has not asked those in government about the abductions that are now targeting social media users.

Onyonka on broad-based govt

He went ahead to question whether ODM’s move to join President William Ruto’s broad-based government was part of a scheme to collaborate with the Kenya Kwanza adminstration in everything, whether good or bad.

“Why is my party ODM not asking those in government to stop the abductions of these young Kenyans? Or did we become part of a government that now we’re busy collaborating and conducting broad based abductions?” Onyonka questioned.

Why is my party ODM not asking those in government to stop the abductions of these young Kenyans? Or did we become part of a government that now we're busy collaborating and conducting BROAD BASED abductions?

— Senator Richard Onyonka (@RichardOnyonka_) December 25, 2024

Omtatah condemns abductions

Onyonka’s statement comes hours after Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah warned that Kenyans will not be silenced through intimidation and oppression following the new wave of abductions.

Three youths, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti and Bernard Kavuli, were reported abducted after posting offensive images against President William Ruto.

According to Omtatah, the abductions are a result of Kenyans speaking the truth to power as a result of injustices in the country.

“The ongoing abductions and incommunicado detention of young Kenyans for daring to speak truth to power are both alarming and unacceptable. Let it be clear: no government, no matter how ruthless, can silence the revolutionary conscience of a people dedicated to justice and democracy,” Omtatah wrote on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

“Kenyans are not cowards, nor will we be silenced by fear. Our moral consciousness has overcome colonialism & tyranny in history. The desire for freedom and justice is greater than any threat, and history proves that the will of the people always triumphs over oppression.”

Lobby groups on abductions

Kenyans, lobby groups and a section of the political class have been calling for the release of the missing youths who were recently abducted after posting controversial tweets about Ruto.

Human rights groups through the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, raised concerns over the abductions.

They have called for the immediate release of the said youths, or have them produced in a court of law as per the Kenyan constitution.

“The Police Reforms Working Group strongly condemns the recent abduction of social media users Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti and Bernard Kavuli. We note the reported arrest and detention of Gabriel Supeet at the Ntulele Police Station and public anxiety as to the whereabouts of Naomi a.k.a @Jaber_totoo.

“We remind the Government of Kenya of its unequivocal duty to uphold the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom and security of the person under Article 29. Any arrest or detention must strictly adhere to the rule of law, including the obligation to provide access to legal representation, present those arrested before a court of law within 24 hours or release them on bond, as stipulated in Article 49 of the Constitution,” PRWG stated.