Images and videos shared by the local media show protesters, mainly in Nairobi and Mombasa counties, holding placards demanding the government to "Stop Injustice" and "End the Abductions."

A group of protesters stage peaceful demos at Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi, demanding release of those abducted pic.twitter.com/jb5zU9DFgG

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 30, 2024

The protests are being led by human rights organizations, lobby groups, youth, and survivors of abductions that occurred in June during the height of youth-led demonstrations. The earlier protests forced President William Ruto to shelve plans to introduce additional taxes through the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

In a communiqué released on Sunday, the organizers announced that nationwide demonstrations would be held in all 47 counties to condemn what they described as enforced disappearances.

The protesters argue that the demonstrations aim to pressure the government to release those believed to have been abducted, end arbitrary arrests, and address the demands voiced by Generation Z during the June protests.

At least five abductions have been reported in December alone, targeting critics of President Ruto’s administration. Among those missing are individuals who shared AI-generated images of Ruto in a casket—images that some deemed offensive.

One of the abductees is the popular cartoonist Kibet Bull, whose real name is Gideon Kibet. His satirical images of the president went viral. Kibet disappeared on Christmas Eve after meeting opposition senator Okiya Omtatah.

Kibet’s younger brother, Ronny Kiplangat, who has also been missing for several days, is believed by their family to have been used as bait by security forces to lure Kibet.

Besides sharing silhouette images of the Head of State, those abducted have been vocal on social media, accusing the government of corruption, failing to address unemployment, and not fulfilling its promises to revitalize the economy.

The police have denied any involvement in the incidents, stating that none of the missing persons are in their custody.

However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached in October for allegedly sabotaging President Ruto’s administration, claims the government is behind the abductions.

Speaking to the press in Nairobi on Friday, Gachagua alleged that the abductions are being conducted by a secret unit operating outside the authority of the Inspector General of Police.

“There’s a building in Nairobi, on the 21st floor in the city centre, where the unit operates from, led by a certain Mr. Abel. Abel is a cousin to a very senior official in this government,” Gachagua disclosed.

He threatened to reveal more details about the secret unit if the abducted individuals are not released.

Later that day, President Ruto, accompanied by opposition leader Raila Odinga—whose allies have joined Ruto’s Cabinet in a broad-based government formed after the Gen-Z protests—promised to address the issue of abductions.

Odinga condemned the state-linked abductions of government critics, stating that Kenya cannot become a "gangster state."

Recognized as Kenya’s second liberation hero, Odinga was a victim of the oppressive regime of the late President Daniel Arap Moi during the fight for multiparty democracy in the 1990s. He warned that allowing such practices to persist could return the country to the dark days of the "Nyayo Torture Chambers."

President Ruto acknowledged the public’s concerns but urged the youth to exercise discipline.

“We will stop the abductions so Kenyan youth can live in peace, but they must be disciplined and polite so that we can build Kenya together,” Ruto said during an event at a stadium in Homa Bay in western Kenya.

Protesters gathering in the Nairobi CBD on Monday, December 30 2024.

Protesters in Nairobi CBD on Monday, December 30, 2024.