‘Very worrying’: Fear stalks Kenya as dozens of government critics abducted

The Rise of Enforced Disappearances in Kenya: A Growing Concern

1. The Longton Brothers’ Ordeal: A Case of Abduction and Intimidation

On the afternoon of August 19, Jamil and Aslam Longton, brothers and owners of a cybercafe in Kitengela, Nairobi, encountered a suspicious woman loitering near their home. This was not the first time they had seen her that day, as she had been lingering around their gate earlier that morning. As the brothers drove away, they were blocked by several vehicles, and two men, alongside the woman, forcibly took Aslam from the driver’s seat. Jamil, recognizing the heavily armed group as likely police officers, demanded their identification and the legality of the arrest, but they refused to comply. Threatening to contact the local police station, Jamil was also seized, and both brothers were blindfolded and taken away.

The Longton brothers were held captive in a dark room for 32 days, subjected to physical abuse and death threats. Their captors demanded information about the funding sources behind the local protests in Kitengela. The brothers were eventually abandoned in Gachie, a town north of Nairobi, after being blindfolded and driven around to disorient them. Their friend, also a protester, had been abducted and released, indicating a pattern of targeting vocal dissidents.

2. A Worrying Trend: Escalating Abductions and Disappearances

The incident involving the Longton brothers is part of a broader, alarming trend in Kenya. Since the youth-led protests commenced in June 2024, cases of abductions and enforced disappearances have surged, with 82 documented cases and 29 individuals still missing, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). These abductions often target vocal critics of the government, with many enduring severe mistreatment during their captivity.

The protests were sparked by President William Ruto’s controversial finance bill, which threatened to increase the prices of essential goods. Although the bill was eventually revoked, the government’s response to the protests has been marked by excessive force, with numerous fatalities and continued harassment of activists and social media users. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has implicated state security agencies, such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the National Intelligence Service, in these abductions, though the Kenyan government denies any involvement.

3. Government Denial and the Blame Shift

Despite evidence suggesting state involvement, Kenyan authorities persist in denying any role in the enforced disappearances. President Ruto has acknowledged the issue but has not accepted government culpability, instead attributing the abductions to criminal elements. Similarly, the National Police Service has not responded to allegations of police involvement, while Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri dismissed concerns, stating that police handle criminality appropriately.

The majority leader of the Kenyan National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, has also downplayed the accusations, suggesting that abductees fabricate their stories for financial gain. This stance has drawn criticism from civil society groups, which have called for Ichung’wah’s resignation. Meanwhile, the Kenya Human Rights Commission has highlighted the deteriorating state of human rights under the current administration.

4. International Implications and Cross-Border Abductions

The issue of enforced disappearances in Kenya extends beyond its borders, with foreign nationals and political dissidents from neighboring countries falling victim to similar Tactics. Tanzanian journalist and activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was abducted in Nairobi, subjected to demands for her phone passcodes, and later found evidence suggesting complicity by Tanzanian authorities. Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and 36 members of his party were also abducted in Kenya and handed over to Ugandan authorities, facing terrorism charges.

These cross-border abductions raise significant concerns about Kenya’s adherence to international human rights obligations. HRW’s East Africa director, Otsieno Namwaya, emphasized the violation of Kenya’s commitments under international law, pointing to cases involving South Sudanese, Ethiopians, and Congolese nationals. Such actions not only undermine Kenya’s international standing but also threaten its position in global bodies like the United Nations Human Rights Council.

5. The Role of State Agencies and the Existence of a ‘Secret Unit’

Revelations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua about a "secret unit" operating outside the command of the Inspector General of Police have added another layer to the mystery surrounding these abductions. Gachagua implicated a unit based in Nairobi, possibly linked to high-ranking government officials. Additional evidence came from Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who claimed his son’s abduction was carried out by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and whose intervention with President Ruto led to the son’s release.

However, the disappearance of three youths in Mlolongo, just outside Nairobi, and the subsequent discovery of two bodies in a city morgue, despite police claims of ignorance, have raised suspicions about the authorities’ honesty. Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo questioned the police’s competence and transparency, suggesting possible internal collusion or lack of communication within the National Police Service.

6. Civic Resistance and the Fight for Democratic Rights

Despite the climate of fear and intimidation, activists like Jamil Longton and Maria Sarungi Tsehai remain resolute in their commitment to human rights and democratic principles. Jamil, chairman of the Kajiado County Human Rights Defenders, continues to encourage Kenyans to exercise their constitutional right to protest, emphasizing that threats and violence are mere tools of control. Sarungi, though cautious, remains undeterred in her activism, refusing to be silenced by her traumatic experience.

These stories underscore the broader struggle for accountability and justice in Kenya. Civil society organizations and rights groups are urging the government to uphold constitutional and international human rights standards, warning that failure to do so could tarnish Kenya’s international reputation and impede its democratic progress. The path ahead requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political stance.