Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog documenting the anti-abduction protests that kicked off in Nairobi and Other towns.
On Sunday, activists galvanised Kenyans online to stage protests in attempts 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).
A report by KNHCR indicated that since the June Anti-Finance Bill protests, 29 Kenyans who went missing are yet to be traced,
Kenyans.co.ke will monitor and update you on the minute-by-minute development of the protests.
4:01 pm: Hussein Khalid and other human rights activists among protestors arrested in Mombasa as Anti-Abduction demos hit a fever pitch across Kenya’s cities and towns.
3:43 pm: Activist Morara Kebaso says that his car was confiscated by police officers when he joined the ongoing anti-abduction protests in Nairobi.
“This morning, Injectors (his supporters) 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,
INJECT Party (his political party) urban mobilizer, and our captain Cyrus Waweru.”
“They have also taken away the vehicle. We demand their release with immediate effect. We will not rest until they are released.”
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.
2:25 pm: Mombasa protestors regroup and gather outside Mombasa Law Courts.
2:15 pm: Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah was arrested and bundled into a police vehicle alongside several other Kenyans after chaining themselves to a government vehicle and chanting anti-abduction slogans.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah arrested while protesting in Nairobi CBD on Monday, Dcember 30, 2024.
Photo
Kenyans.co.ke
1: 45 pm: Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei heckled by protestors in the Nairobi CBD as he tried to address the crowd.
1:36 pm: Former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame 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 a crowd.
12:45 pm: Teargas witnessed along Aga Khan Walk as police attempted to disperse protestors who had gathered with placards.
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 center. Kenyatta Avenue is among the affected highways.
Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah among Nairobi protestors on Monday, December 30, 2024. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
09:00 am: A number of Kenyans in Mombasa assemble to protest but are met by police resistance. Videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed anti-riot officers briefly engaging with tens of residents, who were chanting anti-government slogans.
At some point, however, things took a sudden turn when officers bundled two of the most vocal protestors into their vehicles.
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.