In a New Year’s address on Tuesday, Kenyan President William Ruto acknowledged for the first time that the country’s security forces have been involved in abuses of power.
This admission follows a series of high-profile kidnappings that have ignited nationwide protests and drawn criticism from human rights groups.
“There have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by security personnel,” Ruto stated, though he refrained from offering specific details. His remarks come after months of youth-led demonstrations addressing alleged abductions by security forces. 
These protests, particularly those in June and July, were met with heavy-handed responses, including tear gas and mass detentions.
Ruto defended the balance between freedom and order, stating, “It is crucial to remember that every freedom has its limits, and public safety and order must always supersede the desire for unchecked liberty.”
Growing Alarm Over Disappearances
Human rights activists have expressed increasing alarm over the government’s apparent inaction in investigating disappearances. A recent court ruling ordered the release of five individuals allegedly abducted by security forces, demanding that the police provide explanations under oath.
However, on Tuesday, no one appeared in court, and the police inspector general sent a representative instead, further frustrating the families of the missing.
Many of the disappeared individuals are young people critical of the government, including two who circulated a controversial AI-generated image depicting President Ruto in a coffin. Ruto linked these incidents to the rise in harmful digital manipulation, warning, “These are clear signals that our moral fabric is at risk of decay.”
Allegations Against a Special Security Unit
Human Rights Watch has accused a specialized security unit comprising multiple agencies of involvement in the disappearances. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported seven abductions this month alone, with six individuals still missing. Since June, 29 out of 82 reported cases remain unresolved.
These troubling numbers have intensified public demands for accountability from both the government and security forces. The families of the missing are growing increasingly desperate, amplifying calls for justice as the crisis continues to unfold.
Will President Ruto’s acknowledgment lead to meaningful change, or will these disappearances further erode trust in Kenya’s institutions?
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