Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Justin Muturi
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Kenya's human rights situation is facing heightened scrutiny following a stark public condemnation by Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Justin Muturi.
In an unprecedented move, Muturi on Sunday publicly criticized President William Ruto's administration for failing to tackle the alarming rise in incidents of abductions, illegal detentions, and enforced disappearances. Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Muturi drew on his personal experience, recounting his struggle to locate his son, Leslie Muturi, who was abducted during the Gen Z protests in June 2024.
His pleas for action remained unheeded, even during his tenure as Attorney-General, raising questions about unity within the Kenya Kwanza administration. This dissent from a high-ranking official has intensified concerns regarding the government's handling of civilian unrest, particularly amidst efforts to include opposition members in a broad-based governing coalition.
Muturi emphasizes the government's fundamental obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens, advocating for an end to extra-judicial operations and calling for the release of young individuals held in unlawful detention. His words resonate powerfully against a backdrop of escalating human rights violations; December alone saw over ten reported cases of disappearances.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has documented 82 abduction cases since June 2024, with 29 remaining unresolved. Alarming statistics from the State of National Security report presented to Parliament reveal a 44 percent increase in abductions from September 2023 to August 2024. In response to the government's perceived inadequacies, activists have organized protests throughout the country, demanding accountability and the release of those unlawfully detained.
The administration has deployed armed police to disperse demonstrators and detain their leaders. Amidst these tensions, Muturi decries the government's inaction regarding his son's case, noting the absence of charges or explanations for his abduction. During his campaign for the presidency in 2022, Ruto pledged to eradicate extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances, and abductions. However, the administration's current record appears to contradict these vows.
Muturi has publicly defended the right of Kenyans to voice their concerns, asserting the need for this dialogue in any democratic society. The public dissent from Muturi surfaced just days after Ruto addressed the troubling trend of social media users mocking him and other leaders through disturbing imagery. He cautioned the youth against actions that could escalate tensions and lead to detrimental consequences.