Kenyans are increasingly voicing their outrage online over the surge in police abductions of activists and demonstrators who have been outspoken against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
As the nation gears up for nationwide protests scheduled today against the proposed legislation, social media has been awash with reports of prominent figures in the youth-led peaceful protests being arrested, with their whereabouts unknown.
One of the notable individuals reportedly abducted is Gabriel Oguda, a well-known social commentator critical of President William Ruto’s administration.
According to reports, Oguda was taken from his residence in the early hours of Tuesday by individuals believed to be police officers.
Concerns about his safety were raised by his brother Zachary, who posted online that any updates from Oguda’s social media accounts were pre-scheduled, emphasizing that his whereabouts were uncertain.
Other figures allegedly abducted include the organizers behind the X pages Franje, Drey Mwangi, and Osama Otero, among others.
These incidents follow the detention over the weekend of Shadrak Kiprono, also known as Shad Khalif, whose location remains undisclosed after he was reportedly taken on Saturday night in Nairobi’s South B area.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) issued a strong condemnation, denouncing the abductions as a regression into a dark era of repressive tactics aimed at stifling dissent.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo vowed to hold accountable those responsible for these illegal and extra-judicial actions, accusing them of attempting to suppress public opposition to governance issues and specifically the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
Despite public outcry, some detainees have been released, such as Dr. Austin Omondi, alias Ja Prado, and prominent social media figure Billy Simani, alias Crazy Nairobian.
However, concerns persist over the treatment of those still in custody.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) joined in condemning the abductions, highlighting the nighttime operations carried out by plainclothes police officers in unmarked vehicles, which aim to intimidate future demonstrators.
With two deaths reported from injuries sustained during the protests, tensions are high as Kenya braces for a nationwide strike, #TotalShutdownKE, scheduled to take place on today.
This action aims to pressure MPs, as the Finance Bill 2024 progresses through parliament following its Second Reading approval last week.
In response to these developments, calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees continue to reverberate across social media platforms and civil society organizations, demanding justice and accountability amid escalating political turmoil.
