KENYA: Police Not Involved In Kenya’s Rising Abduction Cases – Inspector General Kanja

      By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

Inspector General (IG) of Police Douglas Kanja has categorically denied any involvement of law enforcement in the recent spate of abductions across the country.

Speaking on Thursday, Kanja clarified that none of the police stations in Kenya are holding the individuals reported as abducted.

The IG said: “For avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the Country that is holding the reported abductees.”

He further announced that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has been tasked with investigating these incidents.

He urged anyone with information regarding the missing persons to report to the nearest police station.

“The matter in question is subject to investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and any other independent body.

“We appeal to anybody with relevant information about any missing person to report to the nearest police station.”

There has been a growing public concern regarding the disappearance of young Kenyans in recent days.

Among the missing are Bill Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Bernard Kavuli.

Witnesses report that Muteti was forcibly taken by four individuals in Uthiru on Saturday morning.

One of the individuals was allegedly dressed in a police uniform.

Meanwhile, Mwangi was reportedly abducted from a barbershop in Embu by masked men in a pickup truck.

Both individuals, along with others, are said to have shared controversial posts about President William Ruto on social media before their disappearance.

In his statement, Kanja emphasised that while freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution, it is not without limits.

“Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility.

“We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed, and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service,” the police said.

The IG assured the public that the police will continue to work in collaboration with oversight authorities to uncover the truth about the reported abductions.