NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s National Commission for Human Rights has expressed concern over the rising number of government critics apparently kidnapped after four people were reported missing over the weekend, bringing the total number of kidnappings to 82 since the anti -terror action. government protests in June.
Four social media users went missing after sharing AI-generated images of President William Ruto that were deemed offensive by government supporters.
The rights commission warned on Thursday that Kenya is returning to the “dark days” of the disappearance of government critics. The kidnapping and torture of the opposition were common under the rule of late President Daniel Moi.
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“We would like to remind the NPS (Police) of its role in protecting Kenyans from such violent acts, particularly noting that these kidnappings are happening in broad daylight, with some of them being captured on CCTV, yet no arrests are made ”, says the committee. says chairman Roselyne Odede.
Rights groups claim the country’s police are behind the kidnappings by human rights groups. They have denied involvement and said they were investigating the disappearances.
A joint statement from 21 human rights organizations issued on Wednesday called on police to hold those responsible for the kidnappings accountable.
“Any failure to act sets a dangerous precedent and will encourage further human rights violations,” the statement said.
In October, nine European envoys expressed concern over enforced disappearances and urged Ruto to ensure justice.
The envoys were speaking after four Turkish nationals were kidnapped and repatriated from Kenya despite registering with the UN as asylum seekers, citing threats to their lives at home.
Kenya was one of many African countries elected to the UN Human Rights Council on October 9.
