William Ruto Downplays Abductions During Protests: “I Want Names”

• President William Ruto claimed he is unaware of any Kenyans abducted during anti-government protests and called on families to provide names of missing persons
• The president pledged firm action to address the concerns of families whose relatives went missing during demonstrations
• Ruto assured the public that his administration would decisively handle cases of missing individuals, emphasising the right to lawful association.
• Reflecting on past horrors, Ruto vowed to prevent any repeat of incidents like the River Yala alleged executions under his administration

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kisumu - President William Ruto has claimed that he is unaware of Kenyans allegedly abducted by security agencies during anti-government protests.

During a town hall meeting on Thursday, August 29, Ruto pledged firm action to address the concerns of families whose relatives went missing.

In a passionate appeal, Ruto called on families to come forward with the names of any individuals who disappeared during the demonstrations.

The president revealed that his administration had not received any official reports or the names of missing persons.

"If there is a family, any family, that their child or friend or relative went to a demonstration, whether it is last year or this year, and never came back, I want to know the names because I will take firm and decisive action because as I talk to you today, I don’t have a single name of somebody who has been abducted or disappeared.

"The PS for Interior is here, Raymond, If you have the name of someone who went to the protests and has since gone missing, whose whereabouts are unknown, we want that name. Let their family come forward. Give this gentleman those names, we will deal with that situation," Ruto urged.

What is Ruto's promise to Kenyans?

The president reassured the public that his government would handle the situation decisively, stressing that every Kenyan has the right to association within the law's parameters.

"Because Kenyans have a right of association within the parameters of the law, and no Kenyan should be subjected to inhuman treatment because of their political persuasion. I made a commitment to the people of Kenya, and I want to look you in the face that under my administration, I do not want a situation where a Kenyan disappears," he stated.

Reflecting on the past, Ruto vowed to prevent a repeat of the horrifying incidents where bodies were discovered in rivers, such as River Yala.

"There were days when people were found, 20 or 30, in River Yala here, executed. I want to promise you and promise the people of Kenya that under my administration, there will be no Kenyans in River Yala or any other river or any other place," he asserted.

Why did the US pressure Ruto?

Earlier, the United States urged Ruto to hold police officers accountable for their involvement in the alleged killing and abduction of protesters.

The US, through Senator Chris Murphy, affirmed Kenya’s need to uphold democracy and ensure the rights of Kenyans to protest peacefully.

He emphasised the importance of democracy in the country, stating that for it to be achieved, the government must guarantee everyone’s right to peaceful protest.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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President William Ruto during a past meeting.

William Ruto Downplays Abductions during Protests: “I Want Names

“Abductions is a matter that I will deal with” – President Ruto. - NRG