Maraga challenges Ruto over claims on abduction

By Daisy Okiring

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has sharply criticized President William Ruto’s recent remarks claiming that all abductees in Kenya have been safely returned to their families.

Maraga called the statement “unconscionable” and urged the government to ratify international protocols and enact legislation to address the rising number of enforced disappearances.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 13, Maraga said that Kenya, as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, must urgently ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and adopt laws that criminalize such actions.

“Kenya should lead by example in protecting its citizens. Ratification must be followed by the full implementation of national legislation to prevent and punish enforced disappearances,” Maraga stated.

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Maraga Faults Ruto’s Dismissal of Ongoing Cases

The former Chief Justice also condemned Ruto’s public dismissal of ongoing cases during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. On Monday, May 12, Ruto claimed, “All the people who disappeared or who were abducted have been brought back to their families and their homes,” adding that no such incidents would occur under his leadership.

Maraga described those remarks as “deeply hurtful,” especially to families still mourning missing loved ones. He cited the case of Brian Odhiambo, a fisherman who vanished four months ago in Lake Nakuru, allegedly after being seized by Kenya Wildlife Service officers. “How long shall the lives of innocent Kenyans be so devalued and dismissed?” he asked.

He also referenced the recent Mother’s Day petition by parents of youth killed during the June 2024 protests, saying such cases require serious investigation and justice—not denial.

Push for Investigations and Justice

Maraga called on the Ruto administration to implement the recommendations from the May 1 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva. The review urged Kenya to carry out impartial investigations into allegations of excessive force by security agencies and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.

“It is not enough to give assurances at press conferences. The victims deserve justice, not silence,” Maraga said, pressing the state to strengthen accountability mechanisms beyond verbal commitments.

Rising Trend of Disappearances

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Maraga’s statement follows a damning May 2025 report by the civic coalition Missing Voices, which documented 159 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in 2024—a 24% increase from the previous year. Of these, 55 were enforced disappearances, marking a 450% rise from 2023 and the highest recorded in Kenya’s history.

The data directly contradicts the President’s assertion that such incidents have ended, further fueling pressure from human rights groups and legal experts.