President Ruto Denies Knowledge of Abductions During Protests, Vows to Investigate Missing Persons Cases
In a recent town hall meeting held in Kisumu, President William Ruto addressed concerns about the alleged abductions of Kenyans during and after a series of anti-government protests.
President Ruto stated that he is not aware of any individuals being abducted by security agencies amidst these demonstrations and called upon citizens to provide information on any missing persons to facilitate thorough investigations.
During his speech, President Ruto emphasised his commitment to protecting the rights of all Kenyans, regardless of their political affiliations.
"If there is a family whose child, friend, or relative attended a demonstration, whether last year or this year, and never returned, I want to know their names so that we can take firm and decisive action," he stated. His comments were directed towards reassuring the public that his administration would not tolerate any form of enforced disappearances or extrajudicial actions by state agencies.
The President underscored the government's responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, particularly during public demonstrations.
"As of now, I do not have a single name of someone who has been abducted or disappeared," Ruto continued. "The Principal Secretary for Interior, Raymond Omollo, is here. If you have the name of someone who attended a protest and went missing, please come forward with that information. We will address this issue promptly."
This call to action aims to bridge the gap between the government and its citizens by urging those affected to report any cases of missing individuals.
The President’s remarks come in response to mounting concerns from human rights organisations and families of missing persons, who have accused the government of failing to investigate these cases adequately.
President Ruto reiterated his pre-election pledge to end the era of extrajudicial killings and state-enforced disappearances in Kenya. Reflecting on past incidents, he cited the tragic discovery of bodies in River Yala in 2022, where at least 40 corpses were found under mysterious circumstances.
"There were days when people were found in River Yala, executed. I want to promise the people of Kenya that under my administration, there will be no Kenyans in River Yala or any other place," he affirmed.
The President’s statements were intended to restore public confidence in the government's commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
He emphasised that all Kenyans have the right to peaceful assembly and should not fear persecution or mistreatment because of their political views.
"Kenyans have a right to associate within the parameters of the law, and no Kenyan should be subjected to inhuman treatment because of their political persuasion," Ruto stated.
President Ruto’s comments have been met with a mixed response. Some citizens and human rights groups have welcomed his pledge to investigate and take action on missing persons cases, viewing it as a positive step towards accountability and transparency.
However, others remain sceptical, questioning whether the government will follow through on its commitments or if these statements are merely a response to growing public pressure.
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