- Pressure continues to mount against the recent reported cases of kidnapping of government critics in the country
- Opposition leader Raila Odinga said such brutality indicates a weak government that has no intention of protecting its citizens
- He asked the government to protect Kenyans; about five Kenyans are said to have been kidnapped in the last four days
The beacon of opposition Raila Odinga has strongly condemned the cases of kidnapping carried out against citizens and people believed to be government officials.
Source: Getty Images
Why Raila is not satisfied with the Government of Ruto
Raila said these events are surprising and indicate a weak government that is not yet strong enough to lead the country.
“The issue of abduction of innocent people is an old and strange thing. We cannot live in a country where people are missing or kidnapped for no reason and held incommunicado for a long time. This shows that there is no government,” said Raila.
Raila expressed sympathy for the parents who were left in pain following the violent disappearance of their children.
He called on the government to take action and stop these practices, saying they are outdated and should not be tolerated in this age.
“The government must take this matter seriously and put an end to these things. Families have been left in mourning; many parents have been crying that their children were kidnapped by people wearing police uniforms and they have never seen them until now. I want to plead with the government to ensure that this matter stops completely. We want A safe and secure country. Gone are the days when they used to arrest you and send you to Nyayo House. said Raila.
Raila's comments came hours after Kisii senator Richard Onyonka questioned ODM's silence on the disappearance of civilians.
On December 25, cartoonist Gideon Kibet was reported missing.
The 24-year-old cartoonist, who gained notoriety after publishing satirical cartoons against President William Ruto, was last seen on Tuesday, December 24.
He went missing a few days after his brother, Ronny Langat, also disappeared.
Before Kibet went missing, their family had reported Lang'at missing at Thogoto Police Station and the matter was registered under OB06/25/12/2024.
How Kibet Bull Met His Captors
The painter, a student of Egerton University, Nakuru, is reported to have traveled to Nairobi for an event he was invited by activist Okiya Omtatah. After the event, he pursued the issue of his missing brother.
However, he was captured by kidnappers in Kikuyu.
The disappearances of Kibet and Lang'at came after three X users disappeared shortly after posting content that authorities deemed offensive.
Two youths were arrested in Uthiru, Nairobi, and Embu county for allegedly publishing messages critical of Ruto.
Peter Muteti, aged 22, was abducted and put into a black Toyota Prado in Uthiru, while Billy Munyiri Mwangi, aged 24, was abducted in Embu by four men wearing masks.
According to Muteti's girlfriend, Mary Wambui, he left their home in Uthiru at 3am on Saturday, December 21, to go buy breakfast but never returned.
Witnesses told him that armed men, believed to be police officers, kidnapped him and forced him into a Subaru with registration number KCF 035M.
A few hours later his phone was switched off and he was no longer available.
Also, Bernard Kivuli, a journalism student in Nairobi, is still unknown.
Their disappearance sparked outrage on social media, with Kenyans calling for their immediate release.
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