Make 2025 different by stopping abductions, upholding rights

Youth in Kisumu congregate at Kisumu peace and justice centre to condemn abductions and delay in formation of new IEBC on Jan 14, 2025. [Michael Mute, Standard] In his 1977 album, the Exodus, the revolutionary poetic music maestro, Bob Marley of the Wailers troupe wails thus, "we neither beg nor we won't bow." This should give Kenya an impetus towards a renewed vigour for a call towards upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights. The exodus from the hurting human rights violations witnessed in the past year or so should be a desire for everyone. We must forge a new chapter of hope and respect of everybody's rights to exist and partake in the sharing of the national fruits we all deserve. 2024 registered a malodorous chapter of serious human rights violations, some bordering on international crimes. It will forever be remembered that in June of that year, what started as a noble call for good governance and respect for human rights was stifled with a callous and disgusting strategy of trailing, illegal arrests, abductions, incommunicado detention and some stillbirth prosecutions. These was preceded by gruesome responses to legal and procedural protests led by the tribeless, leaderless and a united Gen Z front. While it is a universal right embedded in Article 37 of our Constitution to participate in protests, whether planned or spontaneous, it shocked the world to see marksmen pointing gun muzzles to innocent and unarmed youth who only wanted reforms and justice. Has an uprising against bad governance and oppression ever been suppressed by oppression? Never, it only reignites the embers and desires to demand what is just and right. Regrettably, many innocent and harmless Kenyans died and this has been documented by organisations like the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and Amnesty International. KNCHR noted in November 2024 that there had been 82 abductions and 60 deaths due to efforts by Kenyans, mainly the youth, to exercise their rights and freedoms to assemble and protest. It is also despicable that at least 448 deaths concerning the infamous Shakahola cult-related massacre were recorded and equally painful, 97 femicide deaths were also recorded. This borders on savagery and no civilised society should ever be associated with such. Suppression of activists and human rights defenders, including digital activists, was a new front that needs to be completely stopped in 2025. The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya noted that suppression of human rights defenders was a major violation and this should be stopped forthwith. The political elite and their cronies must stop further fueling of the state of pain and human rights violations. It only worsens the situation when some political luminaries blame victims of repression and mock those who call for accountability. Making jokes on families, friends and supporters of victims of human rights violations is detestable and uncalled for as was witnessed after reports of youthful activists who were reportedly abducted. We must be loud enough to call out excesses, especially by law enforcement officers. Everybody must be accountable, but the rule of law is supreme. The basic needs as assured in Article 43 of our sanctified Constitution have become a far-distant dream for a majority of Kenyans. We can ease the pain in 2025. This can be directly attributed to the high cost of production and high taxation. The high cost of fuel, used to manufacture, transport labour and goods is too high compared to our neighbouring countries - some which don't enjoy seaports like Kenya - and irrational taxation of goods has pushed many producers to shift out of the country and others to ship out of business. Poor Kenyans are seeking jobs outside the country, especially in the Middle East, leading to shocking reports of torture, maltreatment, slavery and worse, deaths. Honestly, if Kenyans can't afford basic meals, basic medicare, basic education and basic services, it can only make one believe that if some policies are not reviewed, the cycle of poverty and pain might continue in 2025. Corruption, like a cancerous and jet-propelled squid, sticks its tentacles in all public and private sectors, injecting insolence to deny people what they deserve. With, a dedicated anti-corruption court and a population that is, according to official statistics, 90 per cent religious, why is hard to understand that corruption has occasioned denial of rights in hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure through stealing of funds meant for public services? It started with stealing coins to thousands, millions and as at 2024 the language was loss of billions in numerous instances. Kenyans, stop it. It dehumanises, hurts and kills innocent people who deserve services. In the last year or so, protection against environmental degradation and denial to enjoy safe surroundings has only gotten worse. Mutilation of forests, including Karura Forest that was once bitterly protected by our celebrated environmentalist and Nobel laureate, Wangari Maathai, is just a painful sight to behold. Encroachment of water sources and rivers, directing toxic and cancerous waste to rivers will only worsen if firm action is not taken in 2005. Lastly, in their collective wisdom and consideration by the team of experts, Kenyans found it fit and importantly so, to have chapter four of the constitution, the Bill of Rights the most elaborate chapter in the respected document. There is a reason why human rights are universal and inalienable and therefore must be applied and respected without prejudice. Kenyans must light the human rights torch and keep it aflame in 2005 and beyond.

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