At least 13 activists were on Monday arrested and detained at the Central Police Station in Mombasa after they participated in the nationwide protests.
The protests were meant to pile pressure on the government to release abducted youth and cease the abduction spree.
The activists among them are the big names in the human rights defense phenomenon, Vocal Africa CEO, Hussein Khalid, Haki Africa Rapid Response Officer Mathias shipetta, youth activists Wallid Sketty, Tom Kazungu, Christine Khabuya, Hassan Masoud, Ali Boma, Ali Kishindo.
Others are Lydia Adhiambo, Royal Khamisi, Lillian Muthike, Hilda Rawaro and Anido Githenji.
The activist joined their colleagues in Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi and other major towns in the country protesting the abductions of youth by government agencies.
According to Khalid, the government is fully involved in the abductions and detention of youth despite its defense that it is not aware of the situation.
Adamant
“We will not bow down to government threats. If we will not stand firm as Kenyans then we will have failed this as human rights defenders,” said Mr Hussein.
He reiterated that the protests will not stop despite the arrest and detention.
“They cannot arrest all of us, we will stop at nothing but defend the constitution and uphold human rights. Until the government stops the abduction spree, we will stop at nothing but accelerate our efforts,” said a furious Khalid.
The protesters demanded unconditionally release of youth who were abducted for criticizing President William Ruto’s government.
Among those abducted by various state agencies are Peter Muteti, Billy Mwangi, cartoonist Gideon Kibet famously known as Kibet Bull and his brother Ronny Lang’at and Bernard Kavuli among others.
Demands
The abduction spree caused a lot of tension during the entire festive season with religious leaders and Kenyans calling for the government to stop the abductions.
Though President William Ruto promised to cease the abductions, the activists say they want to see urgent actions from the President since by Sunday, the eve of the nationwide protests, none of the youth were released.
Legislature Babu Owino wrote to the National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula requesting for a special sitting to discuss the abduction spree.
“We want to interrogate Safaricom CEO, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, NIS Director Nurdin Haji and the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. They have to tell us about their collusion in the spate of abduction and the security of Kenyans,” said the Lawmaker in his letter.
