Kenya, April 1 -- President William Ruto announced on Monday that he has dismantled a rogue police unit responsible for abductions, a move that marks a significant shift in his administration's stance on the issue.
Speaking during an interview at Sagana state lodge, Ruto stated, "Nimevunja ile genge ya polisi ilikuwa inateka watu nyara," which translates to "I have broken the gang of police that was abducting people."
He emphasised his firm position as president, saying, "Msimamo wangu kama Rais ni ya kwamba mambo ya utekaji nyara hayataruhusiwa katika serikali hii," meaning abductions will not be tolerated under his government.
This admission stands in stark contrast to Ruto's earlier dismissal of abduction reports as "fake news" in December 2024, as reported by CNN.
At the time, Ruto, alongside government officials and the National Police Service, had repeatedly denied any involvement in the wave of disappearances targeting government critics.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and other organisations had raised alarms over the rising number of abductions, with many pointing fingers at security forces.
The president's comments come amid heightened tensions in the Mount Kenya region, a key political stronghold, following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua had previously accused a secret government unit, allegedly under Ruto's command, of orchestrating abductions and killings-a claim the police consistently denied.
The region has grown increasingly restless, with public awareness of abductions surging after Gachagua's ouster, as noted in the latest broadcast.
Ruto, IG, and NIS director all denied that police were abducting people until March 31, 2025, when the president claimed to have dismantled the police gang that was abducting the youth and critics in 2024-2025.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.