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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says there have been 13 more cases of abductions or enforced disappearances in the last three months.

In a statement on Thursday, December 26, 2024, KNCHR says there have been 82 cases of abductions and forced disappearances since June 2024.

The body says seven of the recent abduction cases were reported in December 2024 with six of them still missing, bringing to 29 the total number of persons still missing since June 2024.

“The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) continues to monitor with concern the worrying pattern of abductions in several parts of our country. The Commission notes that these abductions are perpetuated clandestinely, with unidentified armed persons. The Commission further notes that those abducted have been vocal dissidents, particularly on social platforms. There have been 13 more cases of abductions or enforced disappearances in the last three months bringing to 82 the total cases since June 2024,” KNCHR says.

“Seven of the recent abduction cases were reported in the month of December 2024 with six of them still missing, bringing to 29 the total number of persons still missing since June 2024. The Commission strongly condemns these abductions which fall outside the dictates of the Constitution. Abductions are torture, cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment: a non derogable right. They have no place in a democratic state like ours! The Commission warns that if these patterns of abductions continue, then we shall be rapidly retrogressing back to the dark days of our history when such attacks were primarily to inflict fear on any person critical of the Government.”

Among those reported abducted in December 2024 include Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Naomi aka @Jabertotoo, Gideon Kibet aka Kibet Bull and Rony Kiplang’at.

“The KNCHR reiterates that the freedom and security of a person under Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees all the right not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause, not to be detained without trial, not to be subjected to any form of violence, not to be subjected to torture and not to be treated in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner,” KNCHR stated.

KNCHR has also faulted the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for stating that police officers are not responsible for the ensuing abductions.

“We remind the National Police Service of its role in securing every person in Kenya from such violent acts particularly noting that these abductions are happening in broad daylight, with some of them being captured on CCTV but still no arrests are taking place.

The Commission has called on Kanja to discharge implementation of his constitutional mandate by informing Kenyans who is perpetuating the abductions and protect them from such occurrences.

KNCHR also wants Kanja to embark on immediate investigations and arrests of those found culpable of perpetrating these heinous violations and the immediate and unconditional release or presentation to court of any illegally detained persons including the 29 still missing, if in police custody.

“We reiterate our clarion call that the time is now to ratify and domesticate the International Convention for the Protection of all persons from enforced disappearances. As a member of the Human Rights Council, Kenya must walk the talk and lead from the front.
Pursuant to its mandate, the Commission has been and will continue with independent investigations and assisting survivors and families of those abducted with appropriate redress services including appearing in court on Habeas Corpus to seek accountability for missing and abducted persons,” KNCHRadded.

The commission has also called upon the public to report to us any events of human rights abuses including abductions and enforced disappearances.

Police deny involvement

Responding to allegations of abductions, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja denied any involvement by the police in the abductions.

Kanja emphasized that the mandate of the National Police Service is to arrest offenders, not abduct individuals.

“The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that police officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya. For clarity, the constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct, but to arrest criminal offenders,” Kanja said.

He further clarified that no police station in the country was detaining the missing individuals and urged the public to avoid spreading false information that could harm the police force’s reputation.

“Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility,” Kanja added.