DPP Gives Orders To IG Kanja, IPOA Over Abductions & 3-Day Deadline
Ingonga, in a statement on Sunday, December 29, took note of the reports of suspected cases of abductions and forceful disappearance of citizens, appearing in both mainstream and social media, with the greatest concern.
Marvin Chege 
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has directed Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite investigations into the recent abductions in Kenya and submit case files for review and action in three days.
Ingonga, in a statement on Sunday, December 29, took note of the reports of suspected cases of abductions and forceful disappearance of citizens, appearing in both mainstream and social media, with the greatest concern.
"It is apparent from the reports that there have been at least five (5) such suspected cases of abduction in December 2024 alone with the victims said to be BILLY MWANGI, PETER MUTETI NJERU, GIDEON KIBET aka KIBET BULL and his brother RONNY KIPLAGAT each of whom is yet to be traced after having been picked up by unidentified people in questionable circumstances," he stated in part.
"I am cognizant of the State's obligation to protect and preserve the right to life, and the freedom and security of the person as provided for under Articles 26 and 29 among other provisions of the Constitution of Kenya."
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja addressing the media on July 23, 2024. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE
The DPP also took note of press statements released by IPOA on December 25, 2024, indicating investigations into the various abduction incidents, and the clarification by IG Kanja on December 26, 202,4 on the alleged cases of abductions by the NPS in which both institutions separately gave an undertaking to investigate the incidents, noting the gravity of the allegations, and the immense public interest that the same has drawn.
However, his subsequent message stressed the need for urgent action to be taken on the matter. As a result, he tasked IPOA and the police IG to speed up the investigations and provide an update of the same by January 1, 2025.
"I have, pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution, directed both the Inspector General of Police and the IPOA to expedite the investigations touching on reported abductions and alleged forced disappearance of citizens, and forward the resultant files for perusal and action, and/or provide an update on the investigations, within 3 days from the date hereof," he added.
"The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions remains committed to executing its mandate as per the rule of law, with due regard to the public interest, administration of justice, and prevention of abuse of the legal process."
Last week, IG Kanja openly distanced the country's security agencies from any wrongdoing in the alleged abductions - sentiments which forced major personalities, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, to call for the IG's resignation.
The DPP's statement comes as human rights organizations, lobby groups, youth, and survivors of this year’s abductions have announced that the planned nationwide demonstrations for Monday, December 30 against ongoing abductions and enforced disappearances will proceed as scheduled in all 47 counties.
The protesters argue that the demonstrations are aimed at pressuring the government to release those believed to have been abducted, end the arbitrary arrests, and address the demands made by Generation Z in June.
The recent surge in abductions, over 10 in December alone and more than 80 throughout the year, has sparked outrage across Kenya. Despite government denials, human rights groups, victims, and youth activists are calling on Kenyans to join Monday’s nationwide protests to demand the release of those abducted by security agents and an end to the ongoing arrests.
The protest organizers have vowed to mobilize Kenyans across all 47 counties and the diaspora to demand thorough investigations into the forceful abductions.
