Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has refuted claims regarding police involvement in abductions.
In his statement, Kanja emphasized that no police station in the nation is currently detaining the individuals reported as abducted.
“To clarify, the Constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is to arrest criminal offenders, not to engage in abductions,” Kanja stated.
The police chief further urged anyone with information about missing persons to report to the nearest police station.
“The protocol outlined in the Service Standing Orders mandates that all arrests be documented in the Occurrence Book for subsequent court proceedings; otherwise, suspects must be released from police custody if they do not meet the required procedural standards.”
He also encouraged citizens to exercise their freedom of expression judiciously, noting that the allegations are intended to damage the reputation of the National Police Service.
“We therefore urge the public to avoid disseminating false, fabricated, malicious, and unverified information that seeks to undermine the reputation and integrity of the National Police Service,” he added.
Kanja mentioned that the issue is currently under investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other independent entities.
This statement follows a series of abductions in the country, with four families in distress over the disappearance of their relatives, who are reported to have been abducted.
In the most recent case, cartoonist Kibet Bull, whose real name is Gideon Kibet, has been reported missing.
Kibet’s family has also indicated that his brother, Rony Kiplangat, has been unaccounted for since Saturday.
Additionally, Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, and Billy Mwangi have been reported missing, with media footage showing them being forcibly taken.
These young Kenyans disappeared after making controversial posts on social media.
The abductions have incited public outrage across Kenya, with accusations directed at the police for their alleged involvement in these incidents.
