The Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of social media users Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Bernard Kavuli, calling for immediate government action to ensure their safety and uphold constitutional rights.
The group has also raised concerns over the reported arrest and detention of Gabriel Supeet at the Ntulele Police Station and the ongoing public anxiety regarding the whereabouts of Naomi, also known as @Jaber_totoo.
PRWG, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to promoting professional and accountable policing, includes several prominent groups such as the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Defenders Coalition, Amnesty International Kenya, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), among others.
In a statement, the PRWG reminded the Government of Kenya of its constitutional duty to protect the rights of its citizens.
“The Constitution guarantees the freedom and security of the person under Article 29,” the group emphasized.
The PRWG also highlighted that “any arrest or detention must strictly adhere to the rule of law,” which includes the right to legal representation, and the obligation to present detainees before a court within 24 hours or release them on bond, as stipulated under Article 49 of the Constitution.
Further, the group cited the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, stating,
“An enforced disappearance is considered to be the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which places such a person outside the protection of the law.”
The PRWG expressed growing concern over the government’s lack of transparency, adding,
“The continued silence surrounding the whereabouts of Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Bernard Kavuli only serves to deepen public mistrust in the state’s commitment to protect its citizens.”
The group urged the government to “immediately reveal the location of these individuals, ensure their safety, and present them before a court of law or release them unconditionally.”
In response to the National Police Spokesperson’s statement denying police involvement in the abductions, the PRWG has called for a thorough investigation.
“The security and law enforcement agencies must demonstrate their commitment to justice by holding accountable those responsible for these abductions,” the group said.
“Any failure to act sets a dangerous precedent and will embolden further violations of human rights.”
The PRWG has reiterated its commitment to working with the government to promote accountability and ensure that policing in Kenya adheres to the highest human rights standards.
The group continues to push for systemic reforms that uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of every Kenyan citizen.
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