Kenyan President William Ruto has acknowledged instances of abuse by the country’s security forces following public outrage over alleged abductions linked to recent anti-government protests.
In his New Year’s address on Tuesday, Ruto admitted, “It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services.” However, he stressed the need to balance freedom with public order, stating, “Public safety and order must always supersede the desire for unchecked liberty.”
The admission follows months of youth-led demonstrations against the government in June and July, which were met with heavy-handed repression. On Monday, police cracked down on peaceful protests, detaining demonstrators and deploying tear gas.
Last week, Ruto vowed to “stop the abductions” — a statement interpreted by human rights activists as a tacit admission of wrongdoing.
Nevertheless, he called on parents to take responsibility for their children, referencing the role of social media in escalating tensions.
Many of the disappeared individuals are young critics of Ruto’s administration, including two who circulated an AI-generated image of the president in a coffin.
“These are clear signals that our moral fabric is at risk of decay, exacerbated by the manipulation of digital technology, particularly social media, to amplify anti-social behavior and erode moral values,” Ruto said.
Meanwhile, a Nairobi court has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of five men reportedly abducted by security forces, adding further pressure on the government to address the growing crisis.
