The Youth Cafe {TYC) continues to monitor with concern the worrying pattern of abductions in several parts of our country. The Youth Cafe notes that these abductions are perpetuated clandestinely, with unidentified armed persons. The Youth Cafe further notes that those abducted have been vocal dissidents, particularly on social platforms.
There have been thirteen (13) more cases of abductions or enforced disappearances in the last three (3) months bringing to eight-two (82) the total cases since June 2024. Seven (7) of the recent abduction cases were reported in the month of December 2024 with six (6) of them still missing, bringing to twenty-nine (29) the total number of persons still missing since June 2024.
The Youth Cafe, strongly condemns these abductions which fall outside the dictates of the Constitution. Abductions are torture, cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment: a non derogable right. They have no place in a democratic state like ours! The Youth Cafe warns that if these patterns of abductions continue, then we shall be rapidly retrogressing back to the dark days of our history when such attacks were primarily to inflict fear on any person critical of the Government.
Names of Persons Abducted in December 2024
Name Date Area Status
1. Steve Kavingo Mbisi 17/12/2024 Machakos Still Missing
2. Billy Wanyiri Mwangi 21/12/2024 Embu Still Missing
3. Peter Muteti 21/12/2024 Uthiru, Nairobi Still Missing
4. Bernard Kavuli 22/12/2024 Ngong, Nairobi Still missing
5. Naomi aka @Jabertotoo 24/12/2024 Ruaraka, Nairobi Found
6. Gideon Kibet aka Kibet Bull 25/12/2024 Nairobi Still Missing
7. Rony Kiplang’at 25/12/202 Kiambu Still Missing
The Youth Cafe reiterates that the freedom and security of a person under Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees all the right not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause, not to be detained without trial, not to be subjected to any form of violence, not to be subjected to torture and not to be treated in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner.
The Youth Cafe takes note of the statement issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on 26th December, 2024, stating that police officers are not responsible for the ensuing abductions. We remind the National Police Service of its role in securing every person in Kenya from such violent acts particularly noting that these abductions are happening in broad daylight, with some of them being captured on CCTV but still no arrests are taking place.
The Youth Cafe therefore wishes to remind the Government of Kenya:
That it has a role to play in safeguarding the rights and well-being of everyone in Kenya.
About the important space it occupies in the international arena including the seat at the Human Rights Council and thus the need to prioritize the promotion and protection of rights of everyone.
In exercising its mandate to monitor compliance with human rights principles and the rule of law, The Youth Cafe , therefore, calls on the Inspector General of Police to discharge implementation of his constitutional mandate by expediting the following;
Let Kenyans know who is perpetuating these abductions and protect them from such occurrences;
Embark on immediate investigations and arrests of those found culpable of perpetrating these heinous violations; and
The immediate and unconditional release or presentation to court of any illegally detained persons including the 29 still missing, if in police custody.
We reiterate our clarion call that the time is now to ratify and domesticate the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. As a member of the Human Rights Council, Kenya must walk the talk and lead from the front.
Pursuant to its mandate, The Youth Cafe has been and will continue with independent investigations and assisting survivors and families of those abducted with appropriate redress services including appearing in court on Habeas Corpus to seek accountability for missing and abducted persons. The Youth Cafe also calls upon the public to report to us any events of human rights abuses including abductions and enforced disappearances through-: Email- info@theyouthcafe.com.
The African Youth Cafe is a Non Governmental Organization registered under section 10 of the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Act (now Public Benefits Organizations Act ) having been registered as a company since April 7, 2014. The Youth Cafe (TYC) is Africa's largest and most diverse convening community of professionals harnessing youth-led potentials and transforming them into sustainable youth-enabled futures
Haki Kwa Wote Kila Wakati!