Ruto faces local, international backlash over rising abductions

As President William Ruto's administration faces growing global criticism, a troubling pattern of human rights abuses against critics and dissenters is eroding trust among Kenyans. 

Abductions sometimes in broad daylight and disappearances of persons have drawn sharp condemnation from citizens and foreign allies alike, with key partners like the United States and European nations expressing serious concerns about the government's conduct.

Behind the scenes, foreign nations are pressuring Ruto to reign in those involved in the abductions and to safe guard the rights of Kenyans and foreigners who seek refuge.

“The development partners are concerned that the funds donated to reforms have failed to achieve their goals,” a source privy to the push by western powers told The Standard yesterday.

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A highly placed source revealed that a recent high-stakes meeting was held and included U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Ruto, Kenya’s National Intelligence Service Director Noordin Haji, and CIA Director William Burns.

Discussions were fraught with concern about human rights abuses, particularly the abductions that have led to the recovery of bodies in various locations, while many individuals remain missing.

Multiple sources within State House and diplomatic circles revealed a tense undercurrent to what appeared to be a cordial meeting.

Despite President Ruto's composed demeanor and smiling photographs with U.S. officials, he faced tough questions about his government's failure to protect Kenyans and the alarming trend of targeting individuals armed only with mobile phones.

The discussions underscored U.S. concerns regarding the use of security agencies—previously funded by the U.S.—to suppress dissent, leading to disappointment over the alleged misuse of resources under the Ruto administration.

“The Secretary underscored our shared democratic values, including the implementation of public anti-corruption and police accountability commitments that President Ruto undertook in response to recent protests,” a U.S. spokesperson stated on September 26.

As the government raids pockets and payslips for more taxes, officers in security agencies have expanded their raids in streets, matatus, and private homes to silence dissent. Among those reported missing for weeks are political blogger Maverick Aoko, lawyer John Eric Wesonga, and Wajir MCA Yusuf Hussein Ahmed, raising fears that a secretive security team is operating at a grassroots level to suppress opposition.

“Kenya is experiencing an unprecedented wave of abductions and killings,” the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) stated, expressing profound concern over this alarming trend. “This disturbing reality threatens the fabric of our society and highlights the urgent need for the government to protect citizens, uphold the rule of law, and ensure justice is served.”

Human Rights Watch East Africa region Director Otsieno Namwaya, yesterday told The Standard that the abduction officers are a team of 50 officers supported by the NIS, the Rapid Deployment Unit, individuals in Military Intelligence, and anti-terror police.

“We will be releasing a report this week on their activities where these officers are holding victims in private buildings, abandoned buildings, and warehouses,” Namwaya said, adding, “And if they take you to police stations, they won’t record to show that you were not arrested.”

The seasoned researcher on security operations and government-sanctioned killer squads added that the officers have a parallel command structure that allows them to take orders from powerful individuals, disobeying all laws of police operations.

“They refuse to record people who have been abducted if they take them to police stations. We have people held for months. They are questioning people who are funding them—a clear sign that they are treating the protests as criminal acts. They ask the people what they are planning,” Namwaya said.

He added that the list of those targeted is long and that the government wants to ensure that by next year no one will talk negatively against the Kenya Kwanza administration, which is experiencing rampant corruption and theft of public resources.

“This group of officers has turned the police into a militia, and we already have details about their operations. The officers have given us their names and how they operate,” Namwaya said.

A joint statement issued by ambassadors and high commissioners on Friday further pressured President Ruto, reminding him that Kenya's constitution guarantees the rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens.

The diplomats emphasized that upholding human rights is essential for national stability and prosperity. The statement, signed by representatives from Britain, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, and Denmark, reiterated the necessity for immediate action against arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances.

“We note concern over ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances despite high court rulings,” the communication demanded. “Swift and transparent investigations will enable Kenya to demonstrate its commitment to upholding rights as it takes its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.”

“The Inspector General of Police and senior officials must be held accountable for these violations,” stated Roseline Odede, chairperson of KNCHR. “If we are to restore public trust in law enforcement, these issues must be addressed transparently.”

Police spokesperson Dr. Resila Atieno Onyango, when reached yesterday said she was outside the country but would respond to reports of abductions after she comes back.

A victim of abduction, human rights activist Hussein Khalid, recounted being taken by individuals who introduced themselves as police officers.

“When I was abducted, I was held at Parliament, Central, and Shauri Moyo police stations. The first questions were about my plans and activities,” Khalid told the Standard on the phone. His statement echo concerns raised by former Justice Minister and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, who said last week that a team composed of the National Intelligence Service, the Kenya Police, and the Kenya Defence Forces operates from a house in Karen, orchestrating these abductions.

"I believe the executives are aware of individuals being picked up. This is also sanctioned by William Ruto himself; it has become their signature way of operating," Karua said "If you are in power and suggest that these things are happening without your knowledge, then obviously you're in slumber. There is no way this can happen without them knowing." 

Even as voices increase calling for and end to the alarming abductions Ruto's Interior CS Kithure Kindiki now appointed deputy president -an obvious reward, has remained silent on the matter.

During a town hall meeting in Kisumu one Thursday night in August, Ruto urged families of missing persons potentially linked to the recent protests to submit their names to the Interior Ministry for investigation. 

“If there’s any family whose child, friend, or relative attended a demonstration, whether last year or this year, and never returned, I want to know the names because I will take firm and decisive action,” Ruto said and added “As of now, I do not have a single name of someone who has been abducted or disappeared.”

The following day the United States urged governments worldwide to eliminate enforced disappearances, calling it an "egregious human rights violation." In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded an "immediate" halt to the practice and the return of victims to their families, coinciding with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

“Enforced disappearance is an egregious human rights violation that inflicts the trauma of indeterminate detention or disappearance on its victims, whom all too often are targeted for their dissent or advocacy for human rights and democracy,” Blinken said.

Blinken statement came four months after President Ruto vowed to end the era of incidences of extrajudicial killings and political assassinations during the burial of General Ogola in Siaya in April this year.

“We have lost many from extra-judicial killings and political assassinations. I committed to Kenyans that there will never be again any extrajudicial killings or political assassinations. There will never be bodies of Kenyans in River Yala,” Ruto said.