President William Ruto has pledged to put an end to the recent wave of abductions, addressing public concern over the resurgence of such incidents in the country.
Speaking on Friday, December 27, at the Odi Genowa Governor’s Cup 2024 held at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, the President promised swift action to curb the abductions, which many fear are reminiscent of Kenya’s dark days.
Ruto urged parents to play a critical role in mentoring and protecting their children, emphasizing that a united effort was needed to uphold peace and safety in the nation.
“We all want to walk together. I urge parents to remember that our children are a blessing from God, and you should take care of them. The government will do its part,” Ruto stated.
“These children are a blessing. I want to urge parents to protect their children,” he added.
Government Commitment to Ending Abductions
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the issue and restoring public confidence in security agencies, which have been linked to abductions in the past.
“As a government, we will do our part, and the issue of abductions will come to an end. Our youth must live in harmony and grow into people of integrity and respect to move the country forward,” he said.
Raila Odinga Challenges Ruto
Ruto’s remarks came in response to calls from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, who urged decisive action to tackle the rising cases of abductions.
Odinga stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, calling for arrests and prosecutions.
“We want all our youth to be safe. I have told my friend William Ruto that the issue of youth being abducted, detained, and tortured needs to end. Anyone involved should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed,” Raila stated.
Rising Cases of Abductions
The country has witnessed an increase in abduction cases, sparking public outrage. Notable cases include the disappearances of Steve Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and cartoonist Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull, along with his brother Rony Kiplagat.
While some, such as Naomi, have been found, others remain missing. Many of these cases are reportedly linked to statements made against the government on social media platforms.
Police have denied any involvement in the abductions, as pressure mounts on the government to bring those responsible to justice.
