DPP directs IPOA, Police to forward report on abductions within 3 days

 
The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has directed the National Police Service and the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority to hasten investigations into the recent abductions.
They are to submit their files within three days, that is by 1 January,2025.
In a statement issued on Sunday 29 December l, Ingonga expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasising the need for swift action.
“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 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 3 days from the date hereof,” he said.
He acknowledged the suspected abduction of three individuals being Bill Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru and Bernard Kavuli.
So far however, the whereabouts of six individuals remain unknown.
The DPP reiterated the state’s constitutional duty to safeguard citizens’ rights, particularly the right to life, security, and freedom as outlined in Articles 26 and 29 of the Constitution.He also assured the public that his office remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and preventing misuse of the legal system.
On Thursday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja dismissed allegations linking police officers to the recent wave of abductions.
He assured the public that no police station in the country is holding any individuals reported as abducted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abductions, and there is no police station in the country detaining the reported abductees,” he said.
He noted that while Kenya is a democratic nation that upholds freedom of expression, such freedoms must be exercised responsibly.
“Freedom comes with limitations and should always be exercised with utmost responsibility,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen urged families whose members have been abducted to report the cases to the police.
Speaking in Bungoma County on Friday he also asked them to provide accurate details surrounding the disappearance of those abducted.
The CS pledged to support the police during the investigations.
“We will support the police to ensure that they do thorough investigations to establish the whereabouts of those citizens,” Murkomen said.
On the other hand, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan said they have dispatched the rapid response teams to areas of incidence, including Embu, Kajiado and Nairobi.
The teams, he said, are under “instructions to obtain all information that may be relevant in unveiling circumstances surrounding the abductions and whether there was police involvement as generally alleged.”
The move by the agency follows public outcry over rising abduction incidents particularly of young Kenyans these past few days.