Newspapers, December 28: William Ruto Gives a 'Condition' to Youths to Stop Kidnapping

On Saturday, December 28, the local newspapers covered in detail the recent kidnapping incidents, while the President William Ruto finally breaking his silence.

One of the papers saved space for the chaos that engulfed Embu town on Friday, December 28, when residents took to the streets to protest the kidnapping of a university student.

Front pages of Saturday Nation and Taifa Leo Saturday, December 28. Photo: Saturday Nation, Taifa Leo.
Source: UGC

1. Daily Nation

The newspaper Daily Nation reported President William Ruto breaking his silence on the kidnapping of Kenyan youths believed to be critics of the government.

Speaking in Homa Bay County on Friday, December 27, Ruto promised to end the barbaric acts but appeared to set conditions.

He urged the youth to refrain from irresponsible and violent behavior that could cause them problems.

The President also directed the responsibility to parents, asking them to protect their children and raise them to be disciplined citizens.

“I want to ask the parents, these children are our blessings from God. Every parent should take care of their children, and as a government, we will do our part. We will stop kidnapping so that the youth of Kenya can live in peace. But at the same time, they should be disciplined and to be responsible so that we can build our country together,” said the president.

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William Ruto's Silence Indicates He Approves Kidnapping Cases, Gachagua Says

As of December 27, at least five youths had been missing since December 21 and had not yet been found.

On December 24, digital cartoonist Gideon Kibet was reported missing.

24-year-old Kibet rose to fame after posting satirical cartoons that appeared to mock Ruto.

Using his X account with over 86,000 followers, Kibet, popularly known as Bull, captivated his audience with cartoons depicting the President in different styles as a form of protest against the government.

He disappeared a few days after his brother Ronny Lang'at also disappeared.

Before Kibet's disappearance, their family had reported Lang'at's disappearance at Thogoto Police Station and the matter was posted under OB06/25/12/2024.

Kibet, who is a student of Egerton University, Nakuru, reportedly traveled to Nairobi for an event that activist Okiya Omtatah invited him to, and later went to track his brother's whereabouts.

However, he was arrested in Kikuyu by captors on December 24.

Kibet's family revealed that he was hiding in Nakuru and decided not to go to Nairobi for fear of being arrested due to his famous paintings which are believed to have angered government officials.

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The disappearance of Kibet and Lang'at came after the disappearance of three X users who went missing after posting content that appeared to offend government officials.

Two of the youths were arrested in Uthiru, Nairobi, and Embu County for allegedly publishing offensive content about Ruto.

Peter Muteti, aged 22, was abducted by people in a black Toyota Prado in Uthiru, while Billy Munyiri Mwangi, aged 24, was abducted in Embu by four hooded and masked men.

Bernard Kivuli, a journalism student in Nairobi, is also missing; was captured by Ngong.

2. The Standard

The Standard newspaper reported the violence witnessed in Embu on Friday, December 28, when residents protested the abduction of Billy Mwangi.

They burned logs and blocked the road, singing war and freedom songs, demanding Billy's release.

Angry residents blamed the government for the incident.

The violence disrupted business activities in the city, traders were forced to close shops and drivers looking for alternative routes.

Also read

Gachagua Accuses Ruto's Administration of Using Kidnappings to Silence Government Critics

They were later joined by Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji, who calmed them down and asked them not to destroy property.

“We demand justice through peace,” he told the angry crowd.

The police watched from a distance as the protesters did protest theirs.

Mwangi was kidnapped on December 21 while inside a barbershop in Embu.

Four hooded men dragged him to their double-cabin pickup truck outside the store.

Embu County Police Commander Samuel Muthamia admitted receiving the report of the abduction.

3. People Daily

The People Daily reported the attacks on the former vice president Rigathi Gachagua against the government regarding the recent kidnapping.

He said that such barbaric actions against citizens who oppose the government indicate a police force that cannot protect the public.

Addressing journalists at his home in Nyeri on Friday, December 27, Gachagua claimed that Ruto's silence shows his complicity indirectly, asking him to take full responsibility.

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In addition, he claimed to know the network that carries out the kidnapping.

According to Gachagua, the special unit created to monitor critics operates from the same building in Nairobi and is headed by a high-ranking officer other than Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

He threatened to expose the operators of the network if the unit was not dismantled.

Gachagua also pressured Inspector General Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Mohamed Amin to resign for failing in their duties.

He also asked the Director General of the Intelligence Services (NIS) Noordin Haji to resign.

4. Nation Today

National newspaper Leo reported about the death of the Kenyan volleyball star, Janet Wanja.

The former Malkia Strikers player died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.

He was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer.

Through his brother, footballer Kevin Kimani, the family sought emotional support from Kenyans.

Wanja is respected for his excellent volleyball career and his role as a training coach for the Kenyan national team.

Also read

Raila Odinga Criticizes William Ruto's Government Regarding Kidnapping Cases

He was the “Best Setter” at the 2007 African Championships and represented Kenya at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

President William Ruto led other Kenyans in mourning.

“He was a hard worker, a visionary and a team player. We pray for his family, friends and the entire sports industry,” said Ruto.

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