The spate of abductions and disappearances of youth in Kenya has turned the searchlight on President William Ruto with affected families appealing to him to come clean on the fate of their missing kin.

Kenyan police is accused of being behind the abductions and disappearances, after some of the people reported missing found dead and their bodies dumped in rivers, bushes or stashed in mortuaries. The latter has also raised suspicion that mortuary stuff are working in cahoots with perpetrators to conceal the murders that bear the marks of extra-judicial killings.

The latest search appeal for missing for missing kin and kith was made on Friday by a family in central Kenya whose secondary school son cannot be traced since September 2024. Despite a chorus of calls from around the country for the president to take action, the state has appeared indifferent, prompting some senior government officials to openly question the president’s silence and reluctance to hold the police and investigative agencies to account.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reports, at least 82 Kenyans have gone missing since the Gen-Z (youth) protests began in June, with six people reportedly abducted in the past two weeks. The commission says the number could been higher.

Unlike typical kidnapping cases where ransom demands or signs of struggle are evident, these individuals vanish without a trace, leaving behind unanswered questions and growing anxiety in the community, human right organisations in Kenya point out.

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Justine Muturi, a former attorney-general and speaker of the national assembly, broke ranks with the government early this week and called for an investigation into the abductions, emphasising the need for a national dialogue to prevent further disappearances and exra-judicial killings.

Muturi, whose son was also a victim of abduction and tortured in the wake of anti-tax protests last year, warned that government’s failure to probe the incidents – including extra-judicial killings – has the potential to plunge Kenya into chaos and anarchy.

“The buck stops with you, Mr President. Because you are the president of Kenya, and commander- in-chief of the defence forces therefore I am calling upon the president to take immediate action to end these abductions as promised. There must also be an open inquiry into the killings to uncover how these atrocities have been happening. We cannot allow this to become normal,” Muturi told journalists at the Nairobi Funeral Home after the discovery of bodies of two who disappeared from Mlolongo on the outskirts of Nairobi, late last year.

Opposition linked the regime in power to the abductions. On Friday, former Deputy President Kalonzo Musyoka said the abductions, seem to specifically target youths and their kin suspected to be opposed to the current regime, are carried out the knowledge of the state.

“It is clear that there is an abduction squad, and President William Ruto is their commander-in-chief. No amount of chest-thumping, distortion or downright lying will improve the situation or persuade Kenyans to trust Kenya Kwanza (coalition government).”

CS Muturi’s comments rhyme with those of Chief Justice Martha Koome, who heads the third arm of government that has equally come under searing criticism for failing to rein in the executive for abdicating responsibility to ensure the safety and security of ordinary Kenyans. Chief Justice Koome, who expressed apprehension after her security was trimmed by the government, was critical of the indifference of the executive to threats posed to freedom and civil liberties.

The chief justice wants investigative agencies to “process any criminal actions lawfully and to investigate and address the allegations regarding abductions related to the ongoing protests with utmost urgency. This commitment is to ensure that our nation continues on the path of the rule of law and constitutionalism.”

In addition, she told the executive, “We will not tolerate any actions that undermine the constitutional rights of the people of Kenya. The Judiciary stands firm in ensuring that the rule of law prevails and that justice is served.”

In the latest episode of disappearances in Murang’a, was Simon Kamau, who was in first years of secondary school at Mariira Secondary School. The parents say he went missing on September 24, 2024 from his home in Ndaragua village. His grandmother, Ann Waithira, recalled that on the day he vanished, Kamau had just returned from school and asked her for Ksh150 ($1) to buy homework books.

“I am appealing for help in finding my grandson. He left, saying he was going to buy books, but he never returned. We have searched everywhere, without success. I want to know if he is safe,” Waithira said on Thursday when KNA visited the area.

Kamau’s case was followed by the disappearance of a 75-year-old David Gitau from Kiritu village and James Njihia from neighbouring Gatwikira village on December 27 last year under mysterious circumstances.

Jane Nyambura, Njihia’s wife, said that it was during the festive season and when two days passed without a word from him, she became worried and decided to initiate a search.

“When Sunday came and he was still missing, I knew something was wrong. I started a search for him. We have two daughters,” Nyambura said.

The fourth case involves a retired military officer who disappeared on January 7. According to a friend, Patrick Karanja left his home at 5 am in the morning and has not been seen since then. 

Mariira location Chief Beth Macharia noted that the mobile phones of all the missing individuals have been switched off since their disappearances. Further, there have been no transactions in their bank accounts.

“These disappearances have left the community shaken. We are working with law enforcers to piece together any available information and ensure that thorough investigation carried out,” said Macharia.

Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro dismissed speculations linking the disappearances to the recent wave of abductions and urged authorities to intensify efforts to solve the disappearances.

“The matter is under investigation by DCI officers attached at Murang’a. I urge the security team to come up with measures that prevent future similar cases,” Munyoro said.

• A Tell / KNA report