The Atheists In Kenya Society is very concerned by reports of ongoing abductions of young activists in Kenya.
We join all persons of good conscience in condemning these abductions and call upon the Kenyan authorities to urgently release all those illegally detained.
The Kenyan Government must uphold the rights of all Kenyan citizens as enshrined under our Bill of Rights, including those opposed to the Finance Bill 2024.
Dozens of activists say they were snatched from their homes or off the streets by hooded, armed men. Some are still missing, and the disappearances have unnerved a nation long seen as a pillar of stability.
New York Times
Njoki Wamai, an assistant professor of international relations at the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, highlighted the increasing illiberalism of the Kenyan state, particularly the executive branch and the police force, through the recent abductions and killings.
Numerous reports of alleged abductions and kidnappings circulated on Tuesday 25th July, 2024, targeting prominent social media users who had been active in advocating for protests on various platforms. This led to widespread condemnation from key figures in the criminal justice sector, including Chief Justice Martha Koome, as reports suggested that plainclothes gunmen, suspected to be police officers, had taken at least 10 individuals from the streets or their homes.
Civil society organisations also joined the chorus of criticism, accusing President William Ruto of reneging on his commitment not to deploy the police against dissenting voices.
Faith Odhiambo, the president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), who has been actively involved in efforts to secure the release of those detained, estimated that around 50 Kenyans had been abducted so far.
“We have received reports indicating that approximately 50 young Kenyans, including my personal assistant Ernest Nyerere, have been abducted. He was taken from his home early this morning at 5 am,” she stated.