Nairobi streets turned chaotic on Monday as police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against a string of alleged government abductions.
Human rights groups claim dozens of Kenyans, particularly government critics, have vanished in recent months, pointing fingers at the police and intelligence agencies for extrajudicial arrests.
Despite denials from Kenyan authorities, who insist the government does not sanction such acts, protesters remain adamant. Chanting slogans and holding placards condemning illegal detentions, groups of demonstrators marched through downtown Nairobi. Riot police patrolled the area, occasionally clashing with protesters. 
Among the demonstrators was opposition lawmaker Okiya Omtatah, who staged a sit-in alongside others, using thick chains to bind themselves. Police eventually detained Omtatah and 10 others, as reported by Daily Nation.
Rising Concerns Over Disappearances
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights recently expressed alarm over the increasing number of alleged abductions. According to their report, at least 82 cases have been documented since June, coinciding with the start of anti-government protests.
Initially opposing proposed tax hikes, the demonstrations have since evolved into a larger movement uniting Kenyans across ethnic lines, posing a significant challenge to President William Ruto’s administration.
In a recent statement, Ruto pledged to halt abductions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring peace for young Kenyans. However, critics argue these promises lack actionable outcomes.
Voices of the Protesters
On the day of the protests, Omtatah filed a High Court case in Nairobi, urging the government to release seven detained youths. “If they’ve committed crimes, let them be prosecuted in court,” he argued.
Young protesters expressed solidarity with the missing individuals. “We are living in constant fear,” said Orpah Thabiti, one of the demonstrators.
Concerns deepened following the disappearance of four social media users after they posted AI-generated images of President Ruto, sparking allegations of politically motivated detentions.
Echoes of the Past
The protests have drawn comparisons to Kenya’s “dark days” under the late President Daniel Moi, a period marred by the disappearance and torture of opposition figures. The rights commission warns the country risks regressing to these troubling times.
Wanjiru Gikonyo, a researcher on governance and accountability, noted the uniqueness of these protests. “These demonstrations are organic, leaderless, and largely organized through digital platforms,” she said, adding that they reflect a growing desire among Kenyans for genuine democratic reform.
“These young people may not have a singular leader, but they embody the spirit of a frustrated nation. Kenyans are tired of having constitutional rights that exist only on paper,” Gikonyo remarked.
As protests continue, calls for accountability and justice grow louder, leaving many wondering whether the government will respond with reforms or further repression.
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