LIVE BLOG: Okiya Omtatah Arrested

On Sunday, human rights organizations, lobby groups, youth, and survivors of this year’s abductions announced that the planned nationwide demonstrations for Monday, December 30 against ongoing abductions and enforced disappearances will proceed as scheduled in all 47 counties. 

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Dec 30, 2024 - 12:48 Updated: Dec 30, 2024 - 15:49
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LIVE BLOG: Okiya Omtatah Arrested
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah alongside other protesters demonstrating along Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi’s city centre. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

Good afternoon and welcome to our final LIVE blog of 2024, where Kenyans are protesting the recent abductions targeting the young people of the country.

On Sunday, human rights organizations, lobby groups, youth, and survivors of this year’s abductions announced that the planned nationwide demonstrations for Monday, December 30 against ongoing abductions and enforced disappearances will proceed as scheduled in all 47 counties. 

This is in an attempt to push the government to release Kenyans who mysteriously went missing this December. Many believe more than five people have been abducted including Steve Mbisi from Machakos, Billy Mwangi (Embu), Peter Muteti (Nairobi), Bernard Kavuli (Nairobi), Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull (Nairobi) and Rony Kiplang'at (Kiambu).

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.

Protesters have also warned they will use online platforms to voice their outrage. Those who participated in the June Gen Z protests but have since shifted allegiance to the government have been cautioned against joining Monday’s demonstrations.

Viral Tea is currently monitoring and will keep you updated minute-by-minute on developments regarding the protests:

4.45 pm: Protesters Storm Police Station

Protestors have reportedly stormed Mombasa Central Police Station expressing their outrage over those arrested by police officers while demonstrating in the streets. In a video seen by Viral Tea, several protestors are seen walking into the police station while chanting as police officers at the station watch helplessly. 

The protesters mentioned that their comrades were arrested while participating in the #EndAbductionsKE demonstrations in Mombasa. According to activists and journalist Hanifa Farsafi, 11 individuals were arrested in the county including Hussein Khalid, Shipeta, Hassan Masudi, Kishindo, Walid Sketty, Tina Khan, Kazungu, Hildah Rawago, Lilian, Lydia, and Phoebe.

3.56 pm: Human rights activists Hussein Khalid, Lydia Adhiambo, Lilian Muthike, Mathias Shipeta and Royal Khamisi among 12 protesters arrested in anti-abduction demos in Mombasa.

3.51 pm: Omtatah Moved From Central Police Station

Reports are indicating that Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has been transferred to Gigiri from Central Police Station where he was earlier taken to after he was arrested during the protests against the wave of abductions in the country.

Protesters are now being held at Nairobi Central, Gigiri, Kasarani, Mombasa Central and Eldoret Central police stations. Those arrested with Omtatah remain detained at Central Police Station.

3:13 pm: A section of protesters camp outside Central Police Station in Nairobi demanding the release of individuals who were arrested in the company of Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah. An unknown number of protesters were arrested during the Anti-Abductions protests and detained at the station.

2.31 pm: Morara Kebaso's Prado Taken By Police In Nairobi

Inclusion of National Justice Economic and Civic Transformation (INJECT) party leader Morara Kebaso has revealed that the police have taken away his vehicle. In a statement on Monday, December 30, Morara said that the vehicle was confiscated while he was participating in the anti-abductions protests in Nairobi CBD. 

Further, he said that his team including a research assistant, INJECT Party Urban Mobilized and Captain Cyrus Waweru were also arrested. 

“This morning, Injectors joined protesters in Nairobi CBD to show solidarity with the families of those who have been abducted. To our uttermost shock and disappointment the police have arrested our research assistant.

“They have also taken away the vehicle KCJ200W. We demand their release with immediate effect. We will not rest until they are released,” stated Morara.

2.18 pm: Okiya Omtatah Arrested

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah is among those arrested by police in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

A video obtained by Viral Tea showed him being bundled into a police vehicle at Aga Khan Walk following several failed attempts by police to disperse him and other protesters protesting against the abductions in the CBD.

Earlier, Omtatah had joined protesters who chained themselves together, surrounded by police officers who wanted to arrest them but the protesters stood defiant. Despite the arrest, Omtatah shouted 'Aluta continue' in solidarity with Kenyans.

2.06 pm: SITUATION REPORT (Date: 30 December 2024, Time: 1300hrs)

1. Overview

The situation within Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) has escalated, with protest activities reported in multiple locations. Police are actively engaging protestors, and businesses are reacting to the unrest. Details are as follows:

2. Protest Activity

Protestors are gathering in significant numbers along Kimathi Street near Nation Centre and Moi Avenue. The protestors appear organised and are actively confronting security personnel.

3. Security Response

Riot police have been deployed and are engaging protestors by lobbing teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Police units are concentrated along the affected streets and nearby areas to contain the situation

4. Business Operations

Shops and businesses in the vicinity of Kimathi Street, Moi Avenue, and adjoining areas have started to shut down out of concern for safety. Commercial activities are slowing down, particularly in proximity to the protest zones.

5. Public Impact

Vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the affected areas is disrupted due to the protests and ongoing police operations. Fear and tension are spreading among business owners, employees, and the general public.

6. Assessment

The protest activity is concentrated but has the potential to spread to other parts of the CBD if not contained promptly. The current use of teargas by riot police may exacerbate tension and increase the risk of further disruption.

The shutdown of shops indicates a growing concern for public safety, which could lead to larger-scale economic activity being impacted if the unrest persists.

1.47 pm: Police huddle protesters together, forming a circle around them amidst arrests in Nairobi CBD. Some protesters have chained themselves together while demanding police to answer to the abductions and forced disappearances.

1:45 pm: Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei was heckled by protestors in the Nairobi CBD as he tried to address the crowd. 

1.40 pm: Protesters attend to one of their own who was injured after being hit by a teargas canister during protests at Aga Khan Walk in the Nairobi CBD.

1:36 pm: Former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame was briefly arrested in Eldoret as he attempted to lead anti-government demonstrations. He was released soon after. 

1:00 pm: Police engage residents in running battles in Embu CBD as teargas is lobbed to disperse crowds.

12.35 pm: Police lob teargas to disperse the peaceful crowd which was protesting at the Nairobi CBD.

12.16 pm: Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah files a case at the High Court seeking to compel IG Kanja, DCI and DPP Ingonga to produce in court seven youths abducted by individuals believed to be police officers.

Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah among Nairobi protestors on Monday, December 30, 2024. /X

11:45 am: Water canons were spotted at the KICC grounds in Nairobi as Kenyans began peaceful protests along Aga Khan Walk in the Central Business District.

Reports Indicate that police officers have mounted roadblocks along several highways feeding into Nairobi CBD and were blocking matatus from accessing the city centre. Kenyatta Avenue is among the affected highways.

06:00 am: A group of Kenyans in Australia converged to protest against the spate of abductions in a remarkable show of support to their counterparts in Kenya. They were chanting, "Ruto Must Go" and demanded the release of all individuals believed to be abducted.

David Maraga's Message On Abductions

This year has not been easy for many families. The killing, maiming and abduction of young Kenyans has put to serious test our institutions. I condemn the killing, torture and abductions and call for the immediate release of the youth still held unlawfully.

Fidelity to the Constitution is fundamental.

When Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for a new constitution in August 2010, they laid down a new vision for transforming the country and nation, and which was   at the heart of the June-July “Gen Z.” national protests

The outrage this year were sparked by the erosion of basic dignity. We must address the decline in vital sectors such as education & health, reset the economy to create decent jobs for our youth & restructure our tax regime for fairness & sustainability of the tax burden.

I call upon all of us to reflect on the promise that we made to ourselves in our 2010 Constitution.

Let us determine that in 2025 these values will become an inseparable part of us.

We must stand firmly for constitutionalism, the rule of law and justice.

God bless Kenya.

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