The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has demanded the resignation of seven state officers over their recent utterances regarding abductions.
In a statement, the commission pinpointed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Sirisia MP John Waluke and Tiaty MP William Kamket over their remarks at a volatile time when Kenyans are seeking answers over enforced abductions.
At the same time, KHRC wants the Inspector-General of Police, Douglas Kanja to tender his resignation for allowing the abductions to occur under his watch.
“The KHRC calls for an impartial and thorough investigation into their statements and potential involvement in the abductions and extrajudicial killings of state critics. Those found culpable must face prosecution and be permanently barred from holding state or public office,” the statement read in part.
According to the commission, comments made by the politicians violate the rule of law and the leadership positions they hold.
KHRC referenced Kindiki’s justification of the use of excessive force by police against unarmed protestors when he was the Interior CS, citing that the comments opened Pandora’s box in the ruling government.
Ichung’wah was also faulted for blasting Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for orchestrating abductions during the Uhuru Kenyatta era.
The legislator went gloves off during the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s mother in Bungoma, telling Natembeya that he had no moral authority to lecture the government over abductions and yet he oversaw similar killings in his tenure as Rift Valley Regional Commissioner.
“When you killed people and dumped them in River Yala, you (Natembeya) were the Regional Commissioner in charge of abductions and murdering Kenyans. Shame on you, Governor! You cannot claim abductions when you were the key abductor and murderer of Kenyans under the previous regime,” Ichung’wah stated.
The Commission highlighted Sudi for supporting the abduction of those sharing President William Ruto’s AI-generated images.
According to the lawmaker, it would have taken him three days to deal with the content creators if he were the Interior CS.
Sudi’s remarks mirrored Kingi who also said the government would deal with the creators and blamed such acts on lack of parental guidance.
KHRC called out Tiaty MP Kamket for insinuating that the youths who posted the AI images as ‘lazy bones in bed’ and warned they would face dire consequences.
In the past six months, Ruto’s government has been accused of orchestrating abductions of Kenyans who oppose its policies, with at least six youths abducted last month alone.
Weeks after IG Kanja denied police involvement in the disappearances, five of the youths have since been released across the country.
