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Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has addressed the concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops regarding the rising cases of abductions, torture, killings, and the increasing number of women being murdered in Kenya.
In response to the wave of kidnappings, Kanja reassured the public that the National Police Service is actively investigating the cases of 29 Kenyans who remain missing. He emphasized that despite the surge in abduction incidents, the police are committed to resolving these cases.
“The National Police Service assures the public that security measures have been increased nationwide. We continue to urge citizens to cooperate with us by providing any information that could assist in our investigations,” Kanja stated.
The IG also addressed the aftermath of the protests from June 18 to July 2024, which were triggered by the proposed Finance Bill 2024. During this period, 57 people were reported missing—22 of whom were found alive, while 6 were found dead. “All death cases involving police officers have been transferred to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and we are collaborating with IPOA and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in these investigations. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is handling all abduction cases, and significant progress is being made,” he added.
Kanja highlighted the scale of the protests, noting that 495 police officers and 347 civilians were injured, and 42 civilians lost their lives. Additionally, there were 69 cases of significant damage to government vehicles. “The country suffered severe losses, from deaths to property destruction. Throughout the protests, the NPS made 1,552 arrests across the country,” Kanja said.
On the alarming rise in femicides, where the Catholic Bishops had urged the government to take swift action, the IG reported that 97 women have been killed in the past three months. He assured that in many cases, investigations have been carried out, suspects identified, and charges filed. To address such crimes, the DCI has established a specialized Missing Persons Unit to handle these cases.
The Bishops, through their chairperson Maurice Muhatia, condemned the growing violence, particularly against women, which they said has devastated families nationwide. “We denounce the increasing murders of women, which has caused widespread anger and distress,” said Muhatia.
The Bishops also called on the government to prioritize the protection of women, reminding authorities of their constitutional duty to protect the right to life, dignity, and security for all citizens, irrespective of gender or social status.
They further urged Kenyans to stand in solidarity with the victims, particularly women, and work collectively to address the root causes of such violence. This statement follows growing concerns over the brutal killings of women in the country.
