Uproar over Ruto grim confession, Kenyans demand action on killings

A protester is roughed up by hooded police officers along Kimathi Street in Nairobi on July 16, 2024. [File, Standard] For much of his presidency, President William Ruto has been dogged by adverse reports of extrajudicial killings and abductions of critics, allegations that often resurface during visits of foreign dignitaries. This week, the president found himself on the defensive and forced to admit that his government has been involved in the abduction of protestors. Even as he made the admission, Ruto once again pledged that such actions would not happen again under his watch. Despite his Monday remarks, made in the presence of visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb, where he claimed that all those who had disappeared or been abducted have been reunited with their families, questions still abound about what accountability measures will follow the government's admission. While responding to questions from journalists, President Ruto said he had issued clear and firm instructions that such incidents would not happen again. He reaffirmed that when he took office, he committed to ensuring that extrajudicial killings and the disappearance of Kenyans would not be part of his administration. "I made a promise to the country that, as a democracy, Kenya must never return to the dark days when citizens disappeared and their bodies were found in all manner of places. That will not happen under my leadership. All those who were abducted have since been reunited with their families," Ruto said. In his address on Monday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that democracy must not only be protected but continuously nurtured. He added that he shares President Ruto's belief in the need to build more liberal societies, grounded in the rule of law and centered on the protection of human rights. "This is one thing that William and I not only discussed but also share," said Stubb. But the president's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Kenyans, who questioned their sincerity, especially in light of a recent UN report warning that the country may be sliding back into a culture of impunity. No apology Just a week ago, the BBC released an investigative documentary titled 'Blood Parliament', which triggered public outrage by exposing the involvement of the Kenya Defence Forces and other security agencies in last year's protest at Parliament buildings. Former Chief Justice David Maraga was among those who condemned the president's comments, saying it was unconscionable for him to declare, without offering any apology to the victims, their families, or the public, that there are no ongoing cases of enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings, and that accountability mechanisms are in place. He cited the case of Brian Odhiambo, whose mother continues to search for her son, who was abducted four months ago. "There are many other similar cries for justice, as evidenced by the petition launched on Mother's Day by the parents of youths killed during the June 2024 protests. Such remarks are deeply hurtful, especially to parents still mourning the loss of their children. How long will the lives of innocent Kenyans be so devalued and dismissed?" Maraga said in a statement posted on his X account. President William Ruto welcomes his Finnish counterpartt Alexander Stubb to State House Nairobi. President Stubb said that democracy must not only be protected but continuously nurtured. [PCS] Just last week, Maraga also shared that he presided over the launch of the Brutal Policing: 2024 Annual Report by 'Missing Voices,' a coalition of over 10 Kenyan organizations. According to Maraga, the report reveals a troubling rise in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. It documents a total of 159 cases in 2024, with 104 (about 65 per cent) being police killings and 55 (35 per cent) involving enforced disappearances. Impartial investigations He said these incidents happened during the term of office of this government, specifically in 2024. "I reiterate the recommendations emerging from the May Universal Periodic Review process in Geneva for the government to expeditiously conduct impartial and effective investigations into the excessive use of force against protesters and bring those responsible to justice," he said. Kenya, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Maraga added, should ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and adopt national legislation to prevent and criminalize enforced disappearances. "Kenyans hunger for a nation that protects its children, a government that values human lives, and a leadership that speaks the truth especially when truth is fundamental to justice and the preservation of respect for the highest office. We must demand that the promises of the Constitution be taken seriously, and human life be held sacred," he affirmed. People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader, Martha Karua also added her voice on the matter, saying that the president has seemingly acknowledged to human rights violations. "Now that Ruto has acknowledged abductions, he needs to go further and acknowledge extra judicial killings and disappearances and the role of security forces in this, and take steps to have the culprits including those captured in BBC documentary held accountable," she said. Global Risk Consultant, Chris Otieno described the president's remarks as 'scaring' given the platform it was made in the presence of Finland President, who is at the forefront in the fight for human rights. Otieno also added that, despite promises to Kenyans during campaigns that the administration would not allow enforced disappearances or judicial killings, the promise has not been kept. Former Chief Justice David Maraga was among those who condemned the president's comments, saying it was unconscionable for him to declare, without offering any apology to the victims, their families, or the public. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] Instilling fear He regretted that these vices have continued as a way of bringing fear to the population and have them follow a certain direction, noting that the president's remarks were a clear confession. "I got scared, that was scary for me because that was an admission that yes, this was being done and vetoed at that level. I look at it deeper, it was made in a crowd where the President of Finland was there. He is the head of human rights and fights for it. If the Finland President was not here, I do not think that would have been made," Otieno told The Standard yesterday. He added: "I believe it must have been pressure from Finland because just the other day, we had a UN audit on our human rights. From an investigative perspective, I could connect it, he mentioned and said, seems like Finland is quite aware of the details of what happened with Gen Zs because the number was very high." But Security Analyst, Richard Tuta said that abductions may not be a monopoly of State agencies. He affirmed that abduction is a crime and there should be a clear distinction between abductions and arrests. "There is something we normally get wrong as a country; abduction is not a monopoly of State agencies... it is not. So anytime there is an abduction, I do not know why people tend to rush in and purport that every abduction in the republic is being undertaken by State agencies... it is not," he said. Also explained: "The only thing you can say it is a monopoly of the State agency is where someone has been produced in court because no one else can produce someone in court and purport to have arrested that person. Even in situations where a person has been arrested, we are purporting that that person has been arrested." Separately, a human rights defender movement, VOCAL Africa described the president's remarks dismissive of the realities of Kenyan families still searching for their loved ones months after they disappeared or were abducted in the context of Gen Z led protests last year. Chief Executive Officer, Hussein Khalid, said in a statement they have been supporting victims and families affected by enforced disappearances, abduction and extrajudicial killings and have documented numerous direct testimonies. Former Mukurweini MP, Kabando wa Kabando weighed in: President Ruto says, "...all Kenyans who had been abducted have been reunited with their families. It will never happen again." Justice demands that he lists all victims his atrocities, reasons for abductions, by who, and the compensations for this evil, injustice."

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