Kenyan Gov’t’s Mastery In Doublespeak on Abduction of Activists
The Kenya Human Rights Commission is urging the unconditional and immediate release of activists kidnapped by security agents for their alleged involvement in protests against the Finance Bill.
The demands from the human rights organization come amid ongoing abductions of protest leaders, who are then released without charge.
In the last three days alone, three digital personalities have been abducted in connection with the protests.
Despite the government’s assurances that such actions would stop, abductions continue.
The Kenyan government has abducted several young people protesting the high taxation proposed in the Finance Bill, 2024.
— KHRC (@thekhrc) June 24, 2024
KHRC demands the unconditional release of all abductees.
These abductions are intended to intimidate protesters planning to attend future peaceful… pic.twitter.com/JolJTBQocG
Over the last week, there has been an increase in youth agitation, beginning with opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 and now encompassing a variety of other grievances expressed by young Kenyans online, on the streets, and even in churches.
The growing dissent within the leaderless movement has made it difficult for the government to identify and control those suspected of organizing the protests.
The most vocal figures online are now facing familiar government crackdowns aimed at quelling the protests.
Shad Khalif is the latest target of government intimidation and threats.
CCTV footage captured him outside an entertainment venue in Nairobi’s South B estate, where he was apprehended by about four men and forced into a waiting vehicle before being driven away.
This incident sparked an online campaign calling for his release.
Dr. Austine Omondi, also known as JaPrado, was kidnapped shortly before Shad’s abduction while assisting with a blood drive in preparation for Tuesday’s protests.
He was released later on Sunday evening after a strong online and physical campaign that brought together the medical and legal communities.
The arbitrary arrests began on Friday night with the kidnapping of Billy Simani, also known as “Billy the Goat,” from his home by unidentified individuals.
It took a large social media campaign all day to secure his release from custody.
Billy and Dr. Austin appeared visibly shaken after being released from police stations; no charges had been filed against them.
“When the Kenya Kwanza government took office, it vowed to end such tactics in response to political activities, with the president and his deputy leading the denouncement of abductions,” Rigathi Gachagua stated.
The Head of State added, “I have met with the Police IG and we have agreed that they will operate strictly within the confines of the law.”
“However, barely two years into the administration, it seems the script remains unchanged and the playbook is still in use,” comments indicate that law enforcement’s actions have drawn widespread criticism from both the public and the human rights sector.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has called for an immediate end to this trend.
In a statement, the organization questions the timing and motivations for the arrests.
They outlined how “the abductions, often occurring at night and carried out by police officers in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles, aim to intimidate protesters planning to participate in future peaceful demonstrations urging MPs to reject the bill.”
The Law Society of Kenya shares these sentiments, condemning the abductions and demanding an end to such actions as well as the unconditional and immediate release of the latest abductee.
Kenyan Gov’t’s Mastery In Doublespeak on Abduction of Activists
