A section of clergy from the Catholic and Anglican Churches of Kenya has criticized the government over the rising cases of arbitrary abductions.
Speaking during and after Christmas Day services, they urged the government to conduct arrests in a lawful and transparent manner.
Bishop Martin Kivuva, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), decried the practice as outdated and reminiscent of colonial times.
“This practice of abducting Kenyans because of their political stand or opinion is outdated,” Kivuva stated.
“I remember during colonial times, this was the norm. Even if you thought about something, you could be abducted. We are urging the President and those responsible to stop this, as it takes us back decades before independence.”
Similarly, the leadership of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), led by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, condemned the abductions and called for transparency in handling offenders.
“Whoever has wronged should be arrested in daylight, taken to court, and tried according to the law, not on baseless allegations,” Sapit stated.
He also encouraged Kenyans to remain resilient during these challenging times, adding, “God will eventually bring to light what is done in darkness and will sort us out in His way.”
Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Catholic Diocese of Nairobi echoed these sentiments, lauding Kenyans for their perseverance despite the year’s difficulties.
“Kenyans, thank you for persevering in the year that has passed. As we face these challenges, let us remember that as Christians, our first duty is to pray for peace,” Anyolo urged.
These remarks come amidst a renewed wave of suspected police abductions, which gained prominence during the anti-Finance Bill protests in June and July. The latest incidents involve four individuals allegedly abducted last week for sharing AI-generated images of the President, prompting widespread calls for their release by political and religious leaders.
The National Police Service, in a statement on December 26, denied any involvement in the abductions. However, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed that it had launched investigations into the reports.
Church leaders have joined civil society and activists in urging the government to uphold the rule of law and address these disturbing cases to protect the rights of all citizens.
