Police Deployed On Nairobi Streets Over Planned Abduction Demonstrations
On Monday, dozens of police officers were deployed to various Nairobi streets to monitor planned protests against abductions and enforced disappearances.
Police headquarters instructed officers on the ground, including regions, to watch the situation and make choices on how to manage the protesters.
Insiders said there was a broad agreement not to disrupt the protests, which would be considered low-key, if any.
Police stated that police were instructed not to interrupt any march until they were told to do so.
At 9 a.m., a few demonstrators were visible on certain Nairobi streets.
Running battles ensued in Nairobi's central business district on Monday as police moved to disperse a group of protesters who had gathered to voice their concerns over several cases of abductions. pic.twitter.com/QMXlOeDHob
— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) December 30, 2024
Police officers force matatus out of Nairobi CBD where #EndAbductionsKE protests are currently underway. pic.twitter.com/WECk2tkChP
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) December 30, 2024
Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei stated that they were watching the situation.
“We have seen few individuals on the streets and we are just monitoring the situation,” he said.
He stated that there are still few people in the city as most had travelled for festivities.
A woman hands flowers to police officers in Nairobi CBD and proceeds to fall on her knees begging them to #EndAbductionsKE and stop brutalizing young Kenyans for criticizing President William Ruto's regime. pic.twitter.com/yIVxgB6m5f
— Adams Saleh (@Mkenya_7) December 30, 2024
A protester presents flowers to anti-riot police officers out to quell protests along Agha Khan Walk in Nairobi urging them to stop brutalising Kenyans in the ongoing #EndAbductionsKE protests pic.twitter.com/CmgvogZmFs
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 30, 2024
Human rights organizations, lobby groups, youth, and survivors of this year’s abductions have announced that Monday’s statewide demonstrations against ongoing abductions and enforced disappearances will take place as planned in all 47 counties.
The demonstrators said that the rallies are intended to pressure the government to release individuals alleged to have been abducted, cease arbitrary arrests, and satisfy Generation Z’s requests from June.
The current rise in abductions—more than ten in December alone, and more than 80 this year—has generated indignation across Kenya.
Despite government denials, human rights organizations, victims, and youth activists are urging Kenyans to attend Monday’s statewide protests.
Demonstrators are demanding the release of those kidnapped by security agents and a stop to the continuous arrests.
The demonstration organizers promised to mobilize Kenyans from all 47 counties and the diaspora to demand full investigations into the forced abductions.
Mulele Ingonga, Director of Public Prosecutions, initiated a probe and directed police to report back to him on the state of investigations into reports of abductions and forced disappearances by January 1, 2025.
He expressed alarm over tales of abductions and forced disappearances in the country, which prompted the investigation.
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It also came only days after President William Ruto broke his silence on the country’s escalating number of abductions, stating that he will put a halt to them in order to restore public trust in national security.
He encouraged parents to take the lead in mentoring and protecting their children to uphold peace.
“We all want to walk together. I want to urge all parents that our children are a blessing from God, and you should take care of them and the government will do our part,” Ruto said.
“All that has been said about abduction will be dealt with. We will end it so that our youth can live in peace and have faith in security agencies,” he said.
Police Deployed On Nairobi Streets Over Planned Abduction Demonstrations
