December 30, 2024
Nationwide protests in Kenya have led to the arrest of dozens of demonstrators, including prominent opposition figures, as outrage grows over alleged abductions of government critics. According to rights groups, at least 53 protesters were detained on Monday during clashes with police, marking the latest escalation in a movement that began in June.
Kenyan President William Ruto, under fire for dismissing initial reports of disappearances as “fake news,” promised over the weekend to end the abductions but stopped short of admitting government involvement. Despite his assurances, anti-abduction protests continued, with demonstrators clashing with police in Nairobi and other major cities.
In the capital, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters gathered for a sit-in. Videos shared online showed demonstrators holding chains and placards with messages like, “When tyranny becomes the law, resistance becomes a duty.” Protesters sang the national anthem and chanted “We are peaceful” before police moved in with tear gas and mounted units to break up the crowd.
Among those arrested was opposition lawmaker Okiya Omtatah, who joined the sit-in, and Reuben Kigame, a former presidential candidate. Footage from Omtatah’s official X account showed him seated in a police cell alongside other detainees, arguing with armed guards.
Rights organizations have condemned the police response, labeling the arrests and violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrations as arbitrary and unlawful. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) stated that police unleashed terror on demonstrators and called for the unconditional release of all detainees. Amnesty International Kenya reported incidents of torture, with protesters in police custody allegedly assaulted with batons and rifle butts.
The protest movement, fueled by Kenya’s youth, initially erupted in response to a controversial finance bill but has since expanded into a broader call for justice and accountability. The wave of alleged abductions, with 82 critics reportedly missing, has only intensified the unrest.
President Ruto’s promises to address the disappearances have done little to quell public anger. On Saturday, Ruto urged parents to “take care” of their children but did not provide details on the government’s actions to resolve the crisis.
Rights groups have accused the police of denying lawyers access to detained protesters, in violation of Kenyan law. “All suspects…have a right to legal representation,” Irungu Houghton, executive director of Amnesty International Kenya, told CNN, adding that police appeared to be acting under instructions “from above.”
As protests continue across Kenya, the government faces mounting pressure to address the abductions and allegations of police brutality. For now, the demands for justice and accountability remain unresolved, and the tensions show no sign of abating.
CMP Publications will continue to provide updates on the unfolding crisis.