President William Ruto has assured the nation that all Kenyans previously reported as missing under suspicious circumstances have been reunited with their families. Addressing the issue during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who is on an official visit to Kenya, President Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicating enforced disappearances and upholding citizens’ rights.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, the President emphasized the government’s resolve to ensure such incidents never recur, stating:
“As a democracy, Kenya will not return to the dark days when citizens disappeared, only for their bodies to be discovered in unimaginable places. This will not happen under my administration.”
Decisive Actions Against Abductions
President Ruto revealed that measures have been implemented to address the root causes of enforced disappearances. These actions include establishing an accountability framework and strengthening the autonomy of the National Police Service (NPS).
“One of my first actions as President was to grant the police both financial and operational independence to ensure accountability and efficiency in handling such matters,” he explained.
While President Ruto confirmed that all previously abducted individuals have safely returned home, he did not disclose details about the perpetrators of the abductions.
Rising Public Concern
His remarks come amidst increasing public anxiety over the prevalence of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
According to a report by Missing Voices, a human rights advocacy group, 55 cases of enforced disappearances were recorded in 2024 alone. Additionally, the report highlighted that from 2019 to 2024, more than 970 Kenyans were victims of enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings.
Commitment to Justice and Reform
President Ruto reassured Kenyans that his administration is committed to ensuring justice and preventing such incidents in the future.
“There is a clear mechanism for accountability to ensure that such situations are addressed comprehensively,” he said, promising transparency and a strict adherence to human rights principles.
The President’s comments align with his broader agenda to reform Kenya’s security sector and restore public trust in the country’s law enforcement institutions.
