Kenya’s political landscape has been marked by a series of alarming developments, raising concerns about respect for human rights and freedom of expression. The Kenya National Human Rights Commission has warned of an increase in the number of government critics reportedly abducted, bringing the total number of abductions since the anti-government protests in June to 82.
The disappearance of four social media users after sharing artificial intelligence-generated images of President William Ruto that government supporters deemed offensive is evidence of the growing crackdown on dissenting voices. The worrying trend is reminiscent of the dark days of disappearances of government critics that were commonplace under the late President Daniel Moi.
The committee chairperson, Roselyne Odede, warned against a return to the “dark days” of the disappearance of political opponents, urging the national police to ensure the safety of citizens in the face of such violent acts carried out in broad daylight, with some even captured on surveillance cameras without any arrests being made.
Although human rights groups have blamed the Kenyan police for the abductions, these allegations are denied by the authorities who say they are investigating the disappearances. However, a joint statement by 21 human rights organisations called on the police to hold the perpetrators of the abductions accountable.
In response to the abductions, nine European envoys have expressed concerns about enforced disappearances and urged President Ruto to ensure justice. Their call echoes the recent deportation of four Turkish nationals from Kenya, despite their registration with the UN as asylum seekers, citing threats to their lives in their home country.
Although Kenya was recently elected to the UN Human Rights Council, these developments are a warning of the ongoing human rights violations in the country. It is essential that concrete steps are taken to prevent such abuses and to ensure the safety and freedom of all Kenyan citizens.