Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has accused President William Ruto of being solely responsible for the recent surge in abductions and killings amidst anti-government protests in the country.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Wanjigi alleged that President Ruto’s administration has been unlawfully using state machinery to “spread terror among Kenyans” through abductions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
Describing the President as a “constitutional delinquent,” Wanjigi claimed that Ruto has used the police and military to instill fear, resulting in the deaths of over 60 youths and more than 100 abductions.
“President Ruto has not only violated the Constitution of Kenya but also contravened the oath of office he took,” stated the former presidential candidate.
“He has become Constitution delinquent. For the avoidance of doubt, President Ruto is solely responsible for the abductions, enforced disappearances and murdering of the young people of this country Gen Z. He has turned police into his political militia.”
Wanjigi resuscitated the ghosts of the 2007 Post Election Violence where Ruto was charged for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the President of being a dictator who uses violence to impose fear on people for exercising their rights.
“Kenyans must never forget Ruto was a suspect at the International Criminal Court (ICC). President Ruto is hypocritically mocking, laughing and demeaning the abducted, disappeared and murdered sons and daughters of this country and their loved ones who are painfully crying daily,” said Wanjigi.
“The only crime they have committed is exercising their constitutional and democratic right peacefully and unarmed. We must never yield to Ruto’s tyranny. President Ruto’s cruelty, brutality and dictatorship can only be compared to that of Adolf Hitler, Slobodan Milosevic, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and Omar Al Bashir among other such sadistic despots.”
The 2022 presidential aspirant went on to express empathy for the families whose kin were abducted or killed saying the country was moving in the wrong direction.
He decried the rampant cases being witnessed in the country, pointing out that he would seek legal redress locally and internationally to ensure that the government is held accountable over protest deaths and enforced disappearances.
“I stand in solidarity and empathy with all the families here and those who did not make it to come for the sons and daughters who have been abducted and disappeared. It is devastating for a family and friends when a loved one disappears. Yet this is the harsh reality facing Kenya now,” said Wanjigi.
“Your pain is my pain. I am sounding the alarm: We are on the edge of an abyss and moving speedily in the wrong direction. We must all wake up and collectively demand for truth, accountability and justice.”
He also demanded the release of activist Bob Njagi as well as brothers Longton Jamil and Aslam Jamil who were abducted two weeks ago in Kitengela by people believed to be police officers.