‘Post The Names’ – Omtatah Urges Kenyans To Confront Ruto Over Missing Protesters
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah Okoiti has responded strongly to President William Ruto’s request for the names of missing protesters who participated in anti-government demonstrations across Kenya in July 2024.
The president’s statement, delivered during a tense town hall meeting in Kisumu on Thursday night, reignited debate about the alleged disappearances and treatment of protesters during the Gen Z-led demonstrations.
During the town hall, Ruto was questioned about the protesters who went missing at the hands of government forces.
In a forceful rebuttal, the president denied his administration’s involvement in enforced disappearances, eliciting mixed reactions across the country.
Ruto’s Abductions Denial
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 30, 2024
President William Ruto has maintained that there were no abductions carried out by security agencies during the recent anti-government protests in the country.#NTVWeekendEdition @DannMwangi pic.twitter.com/egpqORBdFJ
“My good friend Sospeter, I made a commitment to the people of Kenya and I want to look you in the face that under my administration, I do not want a situation where a Kenyan disappears,” Ruto declared.
“There were days when people were found in River Yala here, executed. I want to promise you and promise the people of Kenya that under my administration there will be no Kenyan in River Yala or any other river or in any other place.”
Ruto asked Kenyans to provide him with the names of anyone who went missing during or after participating in demonstrations this year or last year.
“If my good friend Sospeter, and I am here, if there is a family, any family, whose child or relative went to a demonstration, whether it was last year or this year, and never came back, I want to know the names because I will take firm and decisive action,” Ruto said, asserting his commitment to justice.
The president emphasized that he currently had no records of any missing persons associated with the protests, and he asked Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to assist in gathering such information.
“As I talk to you today, I don’t have a single name of somebody who has been abducted or disappeared,” Ruto said.
“The PS for Interior is here, Raymond. If Sospeter, kama uko na jina, mtu alienda maandamano akapotea, hajulikani mahali yuko, tunataka jina yake, familia yake wakuje. Patia huyu (PS Raymond Omollo) hio majina we will deal with that situation.”
Regarding compensation for victims of the demonstrations, Ruto stated that his administration is still determining the exact number of people affected and how to support their families.
“We are developing a framework because I made a commitment to the people of Kenya that we are going to consider, especially the people who died in the demonstrations, how we are going to support their families,” he stated.
Senator Okiya Omtatah responded quickly and decisively to the president’s challenge.
In a tweet on Friday night, the human rights advocate urged Kenyans to publicly identify missing Gen Z protesters.
The President has stated that he has NO information about any victims of Maandamano including abductees,killed, injured and still missing.
— Okiya Omtatah Okoiti (@OkiyaOmtatah) August 30, 2024
Post the names here we share with @WilliamsRuto @StateHouseKenya pic.twitter.com/GcCUVnBcJX
“The President has stated that he has NO information about any victims of Maandamano including abductees, killed, injured and still missing. Post the names here we share with @WilliamsRuto @StateHouseKenya,” Omtatah tweeted.
Omtatah’s call to action has focused attention on the government’s handling of the protests, particularly among the youth.
It has also reignited debates in Kenya over transparency, human rights, and justice.
‘Post The Names’ – Omtatah Urges Kenyans To Confront Ruto Over Missing Protesters
