Tue Mar 04 13:40:16 UTC 2025: ## Kenyan Rights Groups Accuse State Agents of Mass Abductions
**Nairobi, Kenya** – A wave of abductions targeting political dissidents in Kenya has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who accuse state agents of being responsible for the disappearances of over 80 people since June 2024. At least 29 remain missing.
The accusations follow a pattern of alleged abductions, with victims often vocal critics of the government. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has documented 82 cases of abduction and enforced disappearances since anti-government protests erupted in June. These protests were sparked by President William Ruto’s controversial finance bill, which led to weeks of demonstrations met with a heavy-handed crackdown by security forces.
Among the victims are the Longton brothers, Jamil and Aslam, who were abducted in broad daylight in Kitengela. Aslam, a participant in the protests, and Jamil, a human rights activist, were seized by a group of armed men in plain clothes who refused to identify themselves. The brothers were held for 32 days, subjected to beatings and threats, before being abandoned in Gachie. Their ordeal is representative of many others documented by rights groups.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has linked the abductions to various agencies within the Kenyan National Police Service, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, and the National Intelligence Service. However, the Kenyan government consistently denies any involvement, despite the growing body of evidence.
The issue has gained international attention, with the abductions of foreign nationals also reported. Tanzanian journalist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, known for her criticism of the Tanzanian government, was abducted in Nairobi and believes Tanzanian and Kenyan authorities were complicit. Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was also allegedly abducted in Nairobi and returned to Uganda, where he is now imprisoned.
While President Ruto initially dismissed reports as “fake news,” he has since acknowledged the problem, promising to address it. However, his statements have stopped short of accepting government responsibility, instead suggesting that many detentions were legitimate arrests of “criminals and subversive elements.” This stance has been echoed by government officials, further fueling the criticism from rights groups who accuse the government of a cover-up.
The increasing number of abductions, coupled with the alleged lack of investigation and accountability, has prompted international condemnation. Amnesty International Kenya and HRW have called for an immediate end to the abductions and for the Kenyan government to uphold its international human rights obligations. The lack of action is causing concern about Kenya’s democratic trajectory and its international standing. The ongoing disappearances, including the recent discovery of the bodies of two abducted youths, highlight the urgency of the situation and the need for a thorough, independent investigation.
First Piper 