Interior Cabinet Kipchumba Murkomen has defended President William Ruto over his remarks on abducted Kenyans in 2024, an incident that triggered the reputation of Kenya Kwanza government's international image.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 14, Murkomen said the president’s remarks were not a confession of government’s involvement in the abductions, but a remark that he had an understanding of what is happening in the country.
Murkomen further argued that the president understood the situations in the country, and the reports of over 100 Kenyans missing can only be identified as ‘missing persons, and not abductees until investigations are concluded.
“The real word to be used for abductions is missing persons, because in the such cases of reporting, nobody says that one is abducted because until one is found that is when it becomes an abduction,” Murkomen explained.
During a joint press brief with the Finish president, the president had alluded that all abductees had been released back to their families, and he will ensure such happenings never repeat in the country.
Further defending Ruto, Murkomen said the president did not lie, as reports have shown over 700 people missing in the past seven years, with 123 accounting for 2024, with only 13 people reportedly missing this year.
He said after the directive by president will determine whether the missing persons have been abducted. He linked the release of three abductees in December who were later released to their families as what the president was referring to.
“The president could not have lied to the public because the truth is there. There are reports of over 700 people missing in the past seven years. 123 people were reported missing in 2024, and 13 this year. Only investigations will disclose whether it is abductions or a case of somebody running out of the country. Him saying he will give directives to security agencies is his commitment of doing away with abductions in the country. People were abducted in December, reported and were later released! There was a report to show that,” he further remarked.
Murkomen argued that the President’s remarks were misunderstood, as the government working to do away with abductions does not mean they are directly involved in the abductions.
Their defense comes days as the family of Brian Odhiambo is still searching for their kin in Nakuru, allegedly kidnapped by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.
