In a letter sent on December 28, Senator John Methu, described the incidents as grave violations of human rights, specifically citing the suppression of freedom of expression, association, and the right to life.

Methu stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, particularly given the alarming pattern where critics of President William Rutos's administration appear to be the primary targets. Several individuals, including a popular cartoonist and other young Kenyans, had gone missing around the Christmas period, only to be found alive later. These abductions have sparked widespread fears and calls for immediate government action.

“The government must take responsibility for these abductions and the systematic silencing of its critics,” Methu said. He highlighted that the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have been slow in investigating the cases, with some even allegedly covering up killings of anti-government protesters by classifying gunshot deaths as accidents.

According to Methu, interviews with survivors of abductions revealed the deep psychological trauma they suffered, with many unable to recount their experiences due to the brutal nature of their treatment. The senator has called for the formation of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the full extent of these practices and hold those responsible accountable.

Methu's petition coincides with increasing international scrutiny over the Kenyan government's handling of these cases. The Senator believes that international pressure played a role in the release of the five missing men, but he warns that the government must take concrete action to prevent further violations of citizens’ rights.

--ChannelAfrica--