A new wave of anti-government demonstrations is expected on Monday, December 30, as Kenyan youth and human rights organizations plan to march.
The protests were revealed at a press conference in Nairobi on Friday, December 27.
What are the reasons why youth and human rights groups are organizing protests?
The youth and human rights groups spearheading the demonstrations express serious concerns over alleged government wrongdoings and a lack of accountability.
At the centre of their demands are inquiries into a recent series of abductions that have mostly affected critics of President William Ruto’s administration.
The activists have accused President Ruto’s government of ignoring the widespread abductions and increasing injustices.
“Nobody in the government seems to care about the ongoing abductions,” an activist remarked. “We stand with all patriotic Kenyans in calling for a national protest on Monday to demand justice and accountability. The people are indeed calling for action,” said one activist.
“We are coordinating protests across all 47 counties, and we can also include the 48th county, which represents the diaspora,” stated another.
During December alone, they assert that more than 11 individuals have reportedly been abducted, with their current locations remaining unknown.
Among those missing is cartoonist Gideon Kibet, famous for his satirical silhouette artworks featuring President Ruto.
Kibet’s brother Ronny Kiplagat, businessman Billy Mwangi, Steve Kavingo, and Peter Muteti are also claimed to have been abducted.
Mwangi and Muteti were allegedly taken after posting AI-generated images of President Ruto lying in state.
“We have chosen to return to the streets because we have realized that the only language you (the government) comprehend is the language of the streets,” a protester declared.
Growing concerns regarding police inaction over abductions with citizens claiming the police are behind the abductions.
Law enforcement agencies have faced allegations of conducting unlawful detentions since the youth-led protests in June and July. Activists claim that police have neglected to investigate the disappearances, leading to widespread anger.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now a critic of President Ruto, claimed on Friday that a covert unit is behind the abductions.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported a total of 82 cases of abductions since June, with 29 individuals still unaccounted for. Among these cases, seven have been reported within the last two weeks.
Earlier this year, anti-government protests surfaced in response to proposed tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024, marking the most significant crisis since President Ruto took office in 2022.
Since then, public dissatisfaction has continued to rise, fueled by soaring living costs, unmet commitments from the Ruto administration, and ongoing allegations of excessive force by security forces.
