Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged to put an end to abductions following a series of disappearances that have drawn condemnation from rights groups, lawyers, and politicians.
Security agencies in Kenya have been accused of conducting illegal detentions, particularly since youth-led anti-government demonstrations in June and July.
The latest cases involve young men allegedly targeted for criticizing President Ruto online.
Addressing a crowd in Homa Bay, a town in western Kenya, Ruto assured citizens of his commitment to stopping the abductions.
He also urged parents to take responsibility for guiding their children.
“We are going to stop the abductions so that our youth can live peacefully,” Ruto stated.
On Thursday, Kenyan police denied any involvement in the recent spate of disappearances, which have mostly targeted government critics.
In his November State of the Nation address, Ruto had condemned any excessive or extrajudicial actions by security agencies but defended some detentions as legitimate measures against criminals and subversive elements.
The ongoing abductions have heightened tensions in the country, triggering small-scale protests in at least one town.
Rights activists have called on the government to take immediate action to ensure accountability and protect citizens’ rights.
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