We Will End Abductions: Ruto Responds In Message To Parents
Ruto did address parents directly, calling upon them to monitor and protect their children in a bid to foster a culture of responsibility and discipline.
Marvin Chege 
In response to a series of abductions in December alone, President William Ruto broke his silence on Friday, December 27 on the matter, affirming that he will end the wave of abductions by any means necessary.
Speaking during the Governor's Cup at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, the Head of State reassured citizens of his government's commitment to ending the wave of abductions, which has sparked fear and outrage across the nation.
However, he did address parents directly, calling upon them to monitor and protect their children in a bid to foster a culture of responsibility and discipline.
"I would like to ask every parent, please, these children are a blessing from God. Every parent must take care of their child so that we can take care of our children," Ruto appealed.
Mambo ya abductions tutakomesha- President Ruto#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/QGHForzNPh — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) December 27, 2024
"As the government, we shall do our part and whatever has been discussed regarding abductions, we will put them to a stop so that the young people of Kenya can live in peace as well as have discipline to be good people so that we can build Kenya together."
All eyes were on the President on Friday, December 27, when he graced Homa Bay County for the Odi Genowa Governor's Cup 2024 at the Raila Odinga Stadium.
After an entertaining cup final, the President was given the chance to address the thousands of Homa Bay residents, with a special focus on his stance amid pressure on the government to tackle cases of abductions.
AUC chair hopeful Raila Odinga, who also graced the event, weighed in on the contentious abduction issue by directly urging the President to end the vice.
"We want all our youth to be safe. I have told my friend William Ruto that the issue of youth being abducted, detained, and tortured needs to end and anyone involved jailed," Raila said.
Ruto's remarks came amidst pressure reaching boiling point for his government to crack down on the rampant abduction cases, the most recent cases seeing young social media users going missing after making controversial social media posts targeted towards President Ruto and his government.
They include social media users Billy Mwangi, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplang’at and Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 82 abduction cases have been reported since June 2024, with 13 occurring in the past three months alone.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) criticised the police for failing to address the situation. LSK President Faith Odhiambo called for the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police if he cannot decisively tackle the crisis.
"If the holder of this office is incapable of fulfilling their mandate, it would be in the best interest of the nation for him to either rise to the occasion or tender his resignation forthwith. Anything less would amount to a betrayal of public trust and a dereliction of constitutional obligations," Odhiambo stated. However, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja firmly denied any police involvement in abductions.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the matter, with Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan expressing alarm over the rising cases.
The matter has also attracted comments from leaders, though with varying takes. Ruto's economic advisor, Moses Kuria, called on Kenyans to sign a two-in-one petition, stating "More than ever before, it is time the civil society to lead a two-in-one public petition for putting a stop to unlawful abductions and responsible use of freedoms."
