DPP Gives IG Kanja 3-Day Ultimatum Over Abduction Files

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has taken the first solid step to curb the spate of abductions in the country by calling for immediate investigations into the alleged missing persons.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga issued a statement on the evening of Sunday, December 29, noting that at least five cases of suspected abductions occurred in December alone.

“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 Bill Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru, Bernard Kavuli, 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,” the DPP said.

Ingonga, therefore, directed the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite investigations and submit reports within three days for review and potential action.

“I have also noted the Press Statements released by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on 25th December 2024, indicating investigations into the various abduction incidents, and the clarification by the Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) on 26th December 2024 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

“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 cases of 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 three (3) days from the date hereof,” he added.

The DPP’s statement came at the eleventh hour when the country was grappling with a wave of uncertainty over the abducted Kenyans, who all incidentally criticised the Kenya Kwanza Government before being reported missing.

Ingonga’s new directive also coincided with an online campaign from Kenyans who were calling for nationwide protests against abductions on Monday, December 30. 

Pressure was piling on the government, particularly on social media, as several Kenyans including vocal lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi questioned the government’s silence on the missing Kenyans.

This is despite President William Ruto’s earlier statement in Homa Bay on Saturday assuring that the government would end abductions in the country.

Leaders including Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino have also been vocal against abductions, with the lawmaker writing an open letter to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to put security stakeholders in the country including Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to book. 

More recently, CS Murkomen also denied any police involvement in the abductions, stating that anyone arrested by the police ought to be taken to court within 24 hours.