The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has claimed that at least 50 Kenyans have been abducted by security agents and are being held incommunicado. The party expressed sadness over what it described as state suppression of peaceful protests across the country.
In a statement delivered by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna in Nairobi on Tuesday, the party urged the government to immediately release those allegedly detained without communication.
“We condemn the ongoing arbitrary abductions of innocent Kenyans who are carted away in the most violent manner and held incommunicado for the day,” Sifuna said.
“As we speak, reports are that upward of 50 individuals have been illegally abducted and their whereabouts unknown,” Sifuna added.
President William Ruto denied on Sunday that his administration has sanctioned abductions, stating that those detained have been lawfully arrested by the police for crimes. He emphasized that the police operate independently under the direct command of the Inspector General and not under his instructions.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna read the statement following a meeting chaired by Azimio leader Raila Odinga with the party’s Central Management Committee. The meeting aimed to endorse the recall of ODM MPs who voted for the Finance Bill, 2024. Sifuna expressed regret that no government official has taken responsibility for the abductions, issued an apology, or taken steps to rectify the situation.
“Government must never abdicate its responsibility to protect the lives and the property of its citizens,” Sifuna said.
The party said it will support credible austerity measures by the Executive and Parliament, which they said have been indicted by the people as citadels of wastage.
“With fresh memory of the invasion of Parliament and standing threats of the occupation of the Executive’s seat of power, these two institutions must have an honest introspection on their contribution to our current predicament and take measures to lessen the taxpayers’ burden,” ODM said.
