Section of Mt Kenya Youth Accuse Politicians Of Faking Abductions

Youth leaders from the Mt Kenya region have called for an end to the exploitation of critical issues affecting Kenyans for personal and political gain.

Organizing under the banner ‘Mt Kenya Young Leaders,’ they expressed their deep concern regarding recent political maneuvers surrounding a spate of abductions in the country.

In a statement issued recently, the youth leaders articulated their unease about how certain politicians seem to be leveraging the abduction crisis to regain political relevance. “As Mt Kenya young leaders, we have keenly followed recent statements by leaders regarding abductions,” they said, questioning the authenticity and sincerity of the public concerns raised.

The leaders pointed out that the timing and tone of some remarks suggested a calculated attempt to regain political mileage rather than genuinely addressing the pressing concerns faced by young Kenyans. Furthermore, they criticized political figures for linking this crisis to broader community grievances, asserting that such portrayals distort personal woes into collective struggles for the Mt Kenya community.

“This divisive rhetoric only serves to create unnecessary tension and distract from real issues affecting Kenyans,” they added. Alarmingly, they noted that attempts to create discord between the Mt Kenya region and North Eastern communities appear driven by ulterior motives intended to further individual political agendas.

The youth urged leaders to prioritize unity and focus on solutions beneficial to all Kenyans, especially the youth. The government has faced mounting scrutiny over a rising trend of abductions, which has been attributed to security operatives. While police have strongly denied claims of abductions, insisting they only conduct arrests, the situation remains precarious.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that at least 82 people were arrested during Gen Z-led anti-government protests in mid-2024, with 29 individuals still unaccounted for as of December 2024. Police have stated that investigations into these disappearances are ongoing.