President William Ruto has recognized instances of abuse by Kenya’s security forces amid rising tensions prompted by a series of alleged kidnappings that have left the nation in turmoil.
His acknowledgment comes as ongoing demonstrations, largely led by youth, demand accountability in the wake of unlawful detentions and reports of excessive use of force by police.
During his New Year’s address, Ruto stated, “It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services.” He did not elaborate on these actions, which have been condemned by human rights groups and citizens alike. The unrest has escalated following the harsh crackdown on anti-government protests earlier in the year that sought to highlight numerous alleged disappearances of critics, particularly among the youth.
This past Monday, police violently disrupted peaceful rallies calling for the release of those reported missing, unleashing tear gas and detaining dozens, further inflaming public anger. Demonstrators argue that the disappearances are part of a systematic effort to silence dissent, especially against individuals vocal on social media.
Ruto has recently vowed to “stop the abductions,” a statement interpreted by many as an acknowledgment of guilt regarding the actions of security forces. In a controversial stance, he urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children, suggesting that the disappearances are linked to the moral decay of society exacerbated by digital manipulation.
The current crisis escalated when two young critics published an AI-generated image depicting the President in a coffin, spurring a wave of aggression from security forces, who have been implicated in a series of abductions amid heightened scrutiny.
A Nairobi court intervened on Monday, ruling that police must “immediately and unconditionally” produce five men reportedly taken by security personnel or explain their whereabouts under oath. The courtroom was charged with emotion as families of the missing voiced their anguish, raising questions about the effectiveness of investigations into these disappearances, which police firmly deny.
Adding to the mounting pressure, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported seven new cases of abductions this month alone, pointing to a troubling trend that has caught the attention of both local and international human rights advocates.
