PHOTO: COURTESY
Since June 2024, Kenya has faced a chilling wave of disappearances, leaving families in anguish and a nation grappling with fear. Eighty-two people have gone missing, with 29 still unaccounted for. Many are believed to have been abducted by unidentified individuals, often critical voices of the government.
In December 2024 alone, seven individuals were abducted.
Naomi (@Jabertotoo) was found after her December 24 abduction in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
Peter Muteti, Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, Bernard Kavuli, Ronny Kiplang’at, and Gilbert Kibet(Kibet Bull) were found alive on January 6, 2025, but the circumstances surrounding their releases remain unclear.
However, Blogger Steve Kavingo Mbisi who Disappeared on December 17 in Machakos is still missing.
The pattern is evident: many of the missing were vocal dissenters on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Protests against these enforced disappearances have been met with tear gas, arrests, and a heavy-handed response from authorities. Government and security agencies deny any involvement in the abductions.
Speaking in Bungoma on the 27th of December 2024, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that no abductions and extrajudicial killings were happening under President William Ruto’s regime. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has condemned these acts, describing them as “torture, cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment.”
According to Kennedy Otieno, a community activist and advocate for good governance: “Leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege. Accountability is the cornerstone of democracy, and the government is clearly failing its people. We cannot remain silent while our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters are taken from us. Leadership must be about serving the people, not silencing them.”
The KNCHR has called for immediate action, including thorough investigations, the release of illegally detained individuals, and prosecuting those involved. Yet, the police deny involvement, even in cases captured on CCTV. Public trust continues to erode.
Eliud Luutsa, a global development expert, stresses the need for youth inclusion in Kenya’s governance: “When young people’s voices are not meaningfully included, they turn to social unrest. The unrest we’re witnessing reflects the frustration of a generation feeling unheard. Leaders must engage youth-led organizations, represent their interests, and rebuild trust. Ask young people what they care about then deliver on it.”
The private sector, too, has a role to play. Luutsa adds: “Young people have the skills, energy, and passion to drive change. But they need financial support and capacity building from businesses to make a difference. Intergenerational solidarity is crucial for sustaining democratic progress.”This moment demands unity, transparency, and action. Every missing person has a name, a story, and a family desperate for their return.
As Kennedy Otieno aptly puts it: “My prayers and wishes are that one day, we shall sit at the table, listen to each other, appreciate our perspectives, and embrace our differences. Only then will we heal as a nation.”
Kenya cannot afford to let fear silence its people. Restoring faith in democracy starts with holding the government accountable and protecting the rights of all citizens. Silence is no longer an option.
