Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other ODM officials address the media at Capital Hill, Nairobi, on April 3, 2024. Image: Twitter
In Summary:
1) ODM alleges at least 50 Kenyans have been abducted and held incommunicado by security agents.
2) The party calls for their immediate release and condemns the government’s handling of peaceful protests.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has accused the state of abducting and holding incommunicado at least 50 Kenyans.
The party expressed deep concern over what it described as oppressive measures against peaceful protests nationwide.
In a statement delivered by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Tuesday in Nairobi, the party demanded the immediate release of the allegedly detained individuals.
“We condemn the ongoing arbitrary abductions of innocent Kenyans who are carted away in the most violent manner and held incommunicado for days,” Sifuna declared.
He emphasized that reports indicate over 50 people have been illegally abducted, with their whereabouts unknown.
President William Ruto, however, denied these allegations on Sunday, asserting that his administration has not sanctioned such abductions.
He stated that any arrests made by the police were lawful and in response to criminal activities.
Ruto clarified that the police operate independently under the command of the Inspector General, without direct orders from him.
Sifuna’s statement followed a meeting chaired by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, where the party’s Central Management Committee discussed recalling ODM MPs who supported the Finance Bill, 2024.
Sifuna criticized the government’s refusal to acknowledge or take responsibility for the abductions, issue an apology, or make amends.
“The government must never abdicate its responsibility to protect the lives and property of its citizens,” he asserted.
The ODM also pledged to support credible austerity measures by the Executive and Parliament, institutions they accused of contributing to the nation’s current economic challenges.
“With the fresh memory of the invasion of Parliament and ongoing threats to occupy the Executive’s seat of power, these institutions must honestly introspect on their role in our predicament and take steps to reduce the taxpayers’ burden,” the ODM concluded.