On 30th December 2024, Senator Okiya Omtatah joined hundreds of protesters who sat down on the streets of Nairobi while calling for an end to alleged abductions, that recently targeted government critics. They demanded that police should free the seven people abducted, as well as account for the dozens who are still missing since June 2024.
Police engaged in running battles, and hurled tear gas canisters at the protesters. When Senator Omtatah and several others did not disperse and held on to a long chain, they were arrested. Local and international NGOs and human rights bodies have raised concern over a growing number of alleged kidnappings of activists. So far, the total number of such cases stands at over 80 persons since the anti-government protests in June 2024.
President William Ruto said the government would stop the abductions, which was a tacit admission that the state was culpable in the disappearance of the critics. Our photographer Jimmy Kitiro documented the progression of the December 30th protests and brings us this photo story.
