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Ruto and Kindiki’s Leadership Has Fueled the Surge In Crime And Lawlessness Across Kenya:

BY Steve Biko · October 25, 2024 10:10 pm

KEY POINTS

President Ruto must also answer for these crimes. His silence on the matter is deafening, as is his continued support for Kindiki. By failing to act, he becomes complicit in the bloodshed happening under his rule. The time for accountability is now, and the people of Kenya must demand answers from the very government that has betrayed them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Kidnappings are no longer isolated incidents. Reports of disappearances have reached a record high, with over 500 cases reported in the last quarter. Families are left searching for loved ones, with no clarity on whether they’ve been taken by police or criminal gangs. This escalation signals a breakdown of the rule of law, a breakdown authored by Ruto and Kindiki.

The sharp rise in crime in Kenya—from abductions to gruesome murders—rests squarely on the shoulders of President Ruto and his Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki. When the government normalizes impunity, it grants criminals a free pass. The Kenya Police Act and the Constitution of Kenya (Chapter Four) mandate the protection of citizens’ rights, yet these have been trampled upon as masked agents kidnap citizens in unmarked Subarus, blending into the criminal underworld.

Kindiki’s alarming stance that “police do not need to be in uniform to arrest you” has emboldened criminals. This direct violation of human rights perpetuates a climate where civilians cannot distinguish between law enforcement and criminals. The Kenya Police Act Section 24(4) stipulates that police must be identifiable when making arrests to ensure transparency, a law blatantly disregarded under Kindiki’s leadership.

Read Also: A Regressive Blow to Free Speech: The Computer Misuse And Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill 2024

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveals an increase in kidnappings and homicides, showing the direct correlation between government actions and escalating crime rates. According to the Kenya Crime Survey, cases of abduction surged by 14% in 2024 alone, with murder rates rising by 9%. The lines between police and thugs have blurred to the extent that abductions happen in broad daylight, with criminals using government tactics to evade accountability.

Ruto’s government has failed to rein in crime because it has not only tolerated but tacitly endorsed illegal operations. The Constitution guarantees the right to life and security, but these rights have been compromised as law enforcement agencies themselves violate these protections. Masked agents carrying out unlawful arrests directly contravene Article 29 of the Kenyan Constitution, which assures every person the right to freedom from violence.

Kindiki’s policies have allowed criminals to operate under the guise of law enforcement, creating a national security crisis. Data shows that since the rise of these masked operations, public trust in the police has dwindled by 35%. Law-abiding citizens are now afraid of both the police and criminals, knowing that either could abduct them at any moment. The government’s failure to reign in these rogue elements within law enforcement undermines the very fabric of Kenyan democracy.

Kidnappings are no longer isolated incidents. Reports of disappearances have reached a record high, with over 500 cases reported in the last quarter. Families are left searching for loved ones, with no clarity on whether they’ve been taken by police or criminal gangs. This escalation signals a breakdown of the rule of law, a breakdown authored by Ruto and Kindiki.

Read Also: Kenya’s Descent: How Ruto’s Administration Fuels Crime, Corruption, And Chaos

What makes Kindiki’s tenure particularly dangerous is his normalization of rogue tactics. His statement that police do not need to identify themselves during arrests violates every known legal standard for humane law enforcement. This illegal government-sanctioned behavior not only breaks Article 49 of the Constitution, which protects against arbitrary arrests, but it also creates fertile ground for criminal syndicates to thrive under the guise of security forces.

The upsurge in criminal activities like abductions and targeted murders directly traces back to the government’s unwillingness to hold rogue police accountable. The very agencies meant to protect citizens now serve as a cover for crime syndicates. This must be laid at the feet of Ruto and Kindiki, who have failed to secure the nation and instead have placed citizens in a state of perpetual fear.

The Kenyan constitution prohibits such breaches of civil liberties, yet the Interior Ministry’s directive has given carte blanche to anyone with a government-issued mask and an unmarked car to terrorize the population. These are crimes committed with the silent consent of the highest offices. For these violations, Kindiki should not only be dismissed but also prosecuted under Section 234 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes misconduct by public officers. His actions disqualify him from ever holding the position of Deputy President.

The Kenyan population cannot and must not accept this gross abuse of power. As crime statistics rise and more bodies are discovered, the responsibility lies with a leadership that has made criminal activity indistinguishable from law enforcement. Ruto and Kindiki must be held accountable for turning Kenya into a battleground where no one, not even the innocent, is safe.

The government has not merely failed; it has become the very purveyor of crime. When police officers morph into criminals, and criminals adopt police tactics, the government loses all moral standing. Under Ruto and Kindiki’s watch, Kenya has become a dangerous place. The surge in abductions, murders, and kidnappings is proof of a failed state, and the only recourse is justice for the victims and accountability for those in power.

Kindiki’s appointment as Interior CS marked the beginning of Kenya’s descent into lawlessness. His actions have created a vacuum where criminals operate with impunity, and his stance on unmarked, masked operatives suggests he is more interested in perpetuating crime than stopping it. There can be no future for a man like Kindiki in public office. He belongs in jail, not in the office of the Deputy President.

President Ruto must also answer for these crimes. His silence on the matter is deafening, as is his continued support for Kindiki. By failing to act, he becomes complicit in the bloodshed happening under his rule. The time for accountability is now, and the people of Kenya must demand answers from the very government that has betrayed them.

Read Also: Ruto’s Housing Fund: A Sanctioned Crime Against Kenyans

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