President admits to police abuses against protesters

Kenyan President William Ruto has acknowledged abuses by Kenya's security forces, in the wake of demonstrations against a recent wave of alleged kidnappings that have sparked outrage in the country, according to Voice of America. Security forces have been accused of carrying out dozens of illegal detentions since youth-led anti-government demonstrations in June and July were harshly repressed. And last Monday, police forcibly detained dozens of protesters and fired tear gas into small peaceful rallies calling for the release of those who had disappeared. ‘It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services,’ Ruto said in his New Year's address, without specifying what those actions may have been. ‘That said, it is crucial to remember that every freedom has its limits, and that public safety and order must always supersede the desire for unchecked liberty,’ he said.

The previous week, the embattled President had promised to ‘stop the abductions’, a vow taken by human rights activists as an admission of guilt. The latest disappearances have by and large involved young people who have criticised Ruto online, notes VoA News. A Nairobi court last Monday ruled that the security forces should ‘immediately and unconditionally’ free five men who were reportedly abducted. While police have denied involvement in the disappearances, activists have questioned why they do not appear to be investigating them. Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch said its research pointed toward a unit drawn from multiple security agencies. Last week, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it counted seven cases of abductions reported last month. Six of those who disappeared are still missing. In all, 29 of the 82 people reported to have disappeared since June remain unaccounted for, according to the human rights commission.

Full VoA News report