The government has dismissed claims linking it to recent alleged abductions of activists and other Kenyans, insisting that enforced disappearances are not part of its security policy and challenging those making the allegations to provide evidence to facilitate investigations.
Speaking during an induction programme for newly appointed Deputy County Commissioners on Tuesday, Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo said President William Ruto's administration does not condone abductions and remains committed to upholding constitutional rights and the rule of law.
"The issue of abductions is something that should be left in the past. Actually, during the previous administration, we experienced cases of people being abducted, with some later being found in rivers and other places. Since we took over, President William Ruto has been very clear that under his leadership, there will be no such incidents," he said.
The PS pointed to recent demonstrations across the country, saying citizens had been allowed to exercise their constitutional right to assemble peacefully while those arrested were processed through the justice system.
"Recently, we have witnessed demonstrations that have been largely peaceful. Those who wanted to demonstrate had the opportunity to do so, while others continued with their daily activities. Anyone arrested by police was taken to court in accordance with the law," he added.
His remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny over a series of controversial deaths, disappearances and alleged abductions that have fuelled accusations against security agencies and renewed calls for accountability.
Human rights groups have documented cases of protesters and activists who were killed during the anti-government demonstrations that began in June 2024 and continued intermittently into 2025 and 2026. Rights organisations have also raised concerns over reports of individuals being picked up by unidentified men, commonly described by victims and witnesses as masked operatives travelling in unmarked vehicles.
The allegations intensified following reports of activists, social media influencers and government critics allegedly disappearing for days before resurfacing, while in other cases families said they were unable to trace their loved ones. Civil society organisations have repeatedly demanded independent investigations into the incidents and have called for the prosecution of those responsible for unlawful killings and enforced disappearances.
There have also been persistent public allegations about the existence of so-called "killer squads" or clandestine units operating outside the law. However, the government has consistently denied the existence of any State-sanctioned death squads, maintaining that security operations are conducted strictly within the confines of the Constitution and established legal procedures.
Dr. Omollo claimed that some of the reported abduction incidents had been fabricated to tarnish the government's image, alleging that certain individuals had voluntarily gone into hiding before later resurfacing.
"We have had people claim they were abducted, only for investigations to reveal that they had hidden themselves for personal reasons or in search of publicity, with the intention of portraying the government as one that does not care about Kenyans or one that oppresses its citizens," he said.
The Principal Secretary maintained that there have been no State-sponsored abductions under President Ruto's administration and urged anyone with a missing relative to report the matter to the authorities.
"There are no abductions under the watch of President William Ruto. If anyone is missing, the law and established procedures are clear—such cases should be reported as missing persons. When you say someone has been abducted, it is important to indicate who abducted them so that we can investigate and follow through," he said.
Dr. Omollo further alleged that some of the so-called abduction incidents involved individuals who had merely secluded themselves, accusing them of creating unnecessary public anxiety and unfairly blaming the government.
