Enough Is Enough, Maraga Condemns Rising Abductions And Extrajudicial Killings In Kenya

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has joined the growing calls for an end to the alarming trend of abductions and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.

Maraga has vehemently condemned the escalating violence targeting Kenyan youth, describing it as a grave violation of human rights. His remarks come in the wake of the tragic discovery of the bodies of Martin Mwau and Justus Musyimi, two of the four individuals who had gone missing from Mlolongo. Their remains were found at City Mortuary after a month-long search.

Calling the abductions and killings a “stain on our collective conscience as a nation,” Maraga urged Kenyans to take a stand against these atrocities by declaring #EnoughisEnough and #EndAbductionsNow. He stressed that such crimes represent a profound betrayal of Kenya’s future and the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution.

“Leadership that abets a culture of killings and human rights violations jeopardizes its legitimacy,” Maraga warned, calling for an immediate end to the violence that has disproportionately targeted young Kenyans. He emphasized that every Kenyan has the right to live in safety and security and to pursue their dreams without fear.

“We cannot be lulled into complacency in the face of such assaults to our shared humanity. Every Kenyan and particularly our youth, deserves to live in safety and security and to pursue their dreams. I stand in unity with all Kenyans of good conscience and call for the immediate release of all young people who are still being held incommunicado.” He said.

In his call to action, Maraga demanded the immediate release of all young people still being held without communication and urged accountability and justice for the victims and their families. “Let us work together to build a society that upholds the rule of law, constitutionalism, and integrity.”

Other leaders voices

Earlier on, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi had condemned the abductions calling for a public inquiry into the saga and pleaded with the president to call to an end to the abductions and killings.

“Mr. President, I’m calling upon you now to order an end to these abductions, extra-judicial killings and an open enquiry to look into what has been happening.”

Muturi urged President William Ruto not to turn a blind eye on the matter saying the increasing number of abductions and extrajudicial killings is alarming and ought to be addressed urgently.

“This is a very serious matter and it should anger the country. We are allowing young men and women to be kidnapped only later to be found dead. Surely, what country are we and we are pretending to be solving issues in DRC?” he posed.

“This is a serious issue, the number of people who have died are so many that it should prick the conscience of any right-thinking leader,” he added.

The Public Service cabinet secretary who has recently become a vocal critic on the ongoing abductions insisted he will not be cowed in calling out the ills of the government which has caused anguish among affected Kenyans.

“I sit in government and am not aware of any policies that support abductions and extrajudicial killings. It is not right that parents can stay in excess of 40 days looking for their loved ones and we stay somewhere claiming that we are discussing economy for this country,” Muturi noted.

Muturi’s bold stance follows the tragic deaths of individuals abducted from Mlolongo.

Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has also condemned the government for failing to address the ongoing abduction and execution epidemic in Kenya, which she says has continued unchecked for nearly a year.

She accused President Ruto’s regime of being complicit in the crisis, citing cases of Turkish nationals, Ugandans in Kisumu, and Dr. Kizza Besigye as evidence of state involvement or cover-up.

Karua said, “The abductions admitted by the state, like that of Turkish nationals, of the 36 Ugandans in Kisumu and that of Dr. Kizza Besigye, bear striking similarities with others, making it inescapable that state security agencies are part of the abductions or covering them up.”