Kenya’s High Court has summoned the nation’s chief of police to present himself for questioning regarding a recent surge of abductions across the country that has sparked significant public anger.
Numerous individuals have been kidnapped and kept incommunicado since the major anti-government protests last year, which ignited a severe political crisis for President William Ruto.
A new wave of disappearances during the Christmas season prompted human rights organisations to file a lawsuit against the police and the government, seeking information on the locations of six missing young men.
At least two individuals were taken after posting AI-generated images depicting Ruto in a coffin. Five of the abducted individuals were released on Monday, yet no details were provided regarding their captors or the location of their detention.
While police deny any involvement, human rights advocates attribute responsibility to a clandestine unit composed of personnel from the police, intelligence, counterterrorism, and other agencies.
The Nairobi court stated on Wednesday that Inspector General Douglas Kanja must appear at the next session set for January 27, or he will face contempt charges.
Among those who were kidnapped and later freed was Bernard Kavuli, who appeared in court appearing weakened.
“When he was taken, he was handcuffed, and he indicated that his captors were armed,” his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru explained, adding that such weaponry could only be possessed by the police.
The lawyer added that his team would “not rest” until the nation’s police chief was in court. This follows another hearing last week in which a judge instructed the police to present the missing men in court or “provide an explanation under oath” regarding their whereabouts.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has documented 82 cases of abduction since the protests, with many still unaccounted for.
