Following the demonstrations that took place between June and August, the United States has issued a challenge to President William Ruto, urging him to promote unity and maintain interaction with the Kenyan people, youth, and civil organizations.
Speaking during a call with President Ruto on Thursday, November 7, after the conclusion of the elections in the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken posed a challenge to the president regarding the security of the country.
He emphasized the importance of full accountability for security forces that were reportedly involved in violently quelling protests earlier this year and ongoing abductions.
Blinken’s statement highlights the significance of complete responsibility for security personnel involved in protest violence and ongoing abductions.
The number of insecurity incidents in the country has increased, despite Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s contradictory remarks at a news conference last evening.
Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of cases of kidnappings. Since the GenZ demonstrations, there have been at least 57 persons alleged to have been kidnapped or abducted.
So far, the government has found 22 of those individuals alive, while discovering other two dead, and the remaining individuals remain unaccounted for.
On Thursday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja disputed any suggestions that the police were involved in the abductions that occurred around the country.
He was delivering a report to the National Assembly on the problem of abductions that occurred throughout the nation.
“When it comes to law enforcement, we do not kidnap or abduct anyone; rather, we just arrest them and legitimately imprison them at authorized police stations.
Kanja stated, “We are closely monitoring all these situations and will hold all involved parties accountable for their actions.”
A number of Kenyans have voiced their displeasure with the United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, for remaining silent over the ongoing occurrences of kidnappings there.
Gitobu Imanyara, an activist, served as the catalyst for Kenyans to criticise Meg Whitman, the United States Ambassador to Kenya, for delaying the release of a statement on kidnappings in Kenya.
The leaders also spoke on Kenya’s mission to Haiti. Blinken expressed his gratitude to Ruto for Kenya’s continued leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti. This mission is working with its counterparts in Haiti to bring peace and security back to the Haitian people.
Regarding his own role, President William Ruto emphasised the significance of the peace mission in Haiti, detailing intentions to guarantee that the mission is successful in stabilising the nation.
On his official X website, President William Ruto said, “We discussed the evolution of the mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation to increase its capabilities and assist in stabilizing Haiti.”
Blinken also issued a challenge to the leaders of South Sudan, urging them to make the most of the Tumaini Peace Initiative discussions that are now taking place in Nairobi in order to establish a peace that is long-lasting in the nation.
Concerning the situation in Sudan, they spoke about the possibility of combining their efforts to encourage increased access for humanitarian aid, put an end to the conflict, and develop a procedure to restore civilian rule.
On the other hand, the Secretary-General of the United States said that Kenya would continue to receive help and maintain connections with the United States even as Donald Trump becomes president.
The United States Secretary of State issued the following statement: “The Secretary emphasized the deep and lasting link between the people of our two countries and underlined our support for Kenya’s inclusive and democratic future.”
