Opposition leaders, spearheaded by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have called for the immediate release of all youths who have been abducted and unlawfully detained over the past three months.
During a press conference at the SKM Command Centre in Nairobi, the leaders also demanded that the whereabouts of the 29 missing youths be made known without delay.
“We, the People’s Loyal Opposition, demand that all 82 youths abducted in the past three months be released and reunited with their families immediately,” Kalonzo stated.
He condemned the Kenya Kwanza administration for adopting, with disturbing regularity, the practice of abducting youths simply for expressing their opinions, creating artwork, or posting on social media.
Kalonzo also expressed frustration that the balaclava-clad individuals seen in CCTV footage during these abductions have yet to be apprehended.
In response to the rising number of abductions, anti-abduction protests erupted in Nairobi and other urban centers.
In Nairobi’s Central Business District, police clashed with demonstrators, firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.
As tensions escalated, businesses that had opened were quickly shuttered to avoid potential looting, while police continued to engage with the protesters in running battles.
Despite the protesters’ insistence on being peaceful and unarmed, police insisted they disband, citing the lack of a permit for the demonstration.
The protestors carried placards bearing the names of recent victims of alleged police abductions and enforced disappearances, including Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Kelvin Muthoni.
The growing concerns over abductions were also echoed on Friday by human rights groups, lawyers, and politicians, who highlighted a disturbing pattern of abductions targeting government critics.
Since the youth-led anti-government protests in June and July, security forces have been accused of carrying out illegal detentions.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that 82 abductions have occurred since June, involving armed, unidentified individuals, with 29 of the victims still unaccounted for.
The commission also listed seven individuals who were abducted since December 17.
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