Claire Adhiambo, one of the Young Kenyans who was allegedly abducted For Criticizing President William Ruto on Social media, has come out to clear the air.
In a Statement on December 26, 2024, Claire Refuted the Allegations, stating that she is neither Missing nor was Abducted.
The Young Kenyan, clarified that she learnt of her 'abduction' through Social Media, and was shocked someone impersonating her on Twitter (X) had faked her Supposed Disappearance.
Claire, stated that she does not own any account on Twitter (X) and that the impersonator had been posting her Instagram Pictures on the fake Account, while pushing his political agenda.
" I have not been abducted or missing. I learnt of my fake abduction on social media and decided to report to the police station. I do not have any X account, I don't know who is using my Instagram pictures on X" Claire said.
While many calling for her release said that she's a Mt. Kenya activist, Claire says she hails from Siaya County.
Meanwhile, Several Young Kenyans are still Missing following their Alleged Abduction for Criticizing the Government.
Unknown people believed to be security officers are said to have abducted a Social Media influencer, Peter Muteti for reportedly posting a controversial image of President William Ruto on his X account.
The family members who spoke to the press noted that the influencer shared the contentious post on Thursday, December 19, before deleting it hours later.
Barely three days after sharing the image, the social media influencer was allegedly abducted by four men in a Toyota Prado in Uthiru, Nairobi at around 9 am.
Moments after his alleged abduction, Muteti’s phone went off and he became inaccessible despite several attempts by the family to reach out to him.
Another family in Embu has come out demanding for the release of their son, Billy Mwangi, who was allegedly abducted in the same manner on Saturday afternoon after Sharing an AI-Generated Image, depicting 'President Ruto d3ad'.
Mwangi's family says he was forcibly taken away from a barber shop by four armed men who wore masks and were traveling in a double cabin pick up before speeding off towards the Embu-Nairobi Highway.
Mwangi’s father, Gerald, recounted the chilling events. “The barber told me my son was waiting for his turn when the men arrived, grabbed him, and left. He asked them what he had done, but they just said, ‘You’ll find out,’ and took him,” he said.
The family has been searching frantically ever since, but with no leads.
“If it’s the government behind this, I’m pleading with them to release him. I’ll discipline him myself if he crossed any line. This is not the way to handle young people,” Gerald Mwangi added.
His mother, Regina Wairimu, echoed his plea, criticizing the heavy-handed tactics. “Why use so much force? These children need guidance, not trauma. We are also parents,” she said.
Embu Police Commander Samuel Muthamia who confirmed receiving the report of the alleged abduction, denied involvement of police officers from the area saying detectives in the area have commened investigations.
"The unfortunate bit here is that no one took the number plate of the double cabin, immediately after he was taken away his phone was switched off we are trying to find out his whereabouts. We have deployed all mechanisms of work to establish where he could be," Muthamia said.
Kibet Bull, a Social Media activist who rose into fame for his Signature Silhouettes depicting the State of the Nation, is also reportedly missing.
The whereabouts of the Young Man who hails from Nandi County, remains unknown, with his brother allegedly abducted as well.
Kibet's disappearance, came after he had met Presidential Aspirant Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah.
Kenyans have since taken to Social Media Platforms calling out Security Agencies, seeking the release of the Young Man.
Githunguri Member of Parliament, Hon Gathoni Wamuchomba Called Out The Government Over increased Abductions.
"Abducting young people to silence them is a rudimentary exhibit of how low as a country can go yet, governed by rule of law. The 22 year old Billy from Embu and Peter from Meru are just but afew of the many young men who have disappeared in the hands of “unknown” people allegedly with intentions to torture and maim." Gathoni Stated.
" Silencing them through arbitrary arrests and torture will only build pressure of intolerance to extreme suppression. Putting their families under stress during Christmas is inhumane and ungodly." She Added.
Gathoni Emphasized Kenya is a Demoratic Country and it's wrong for State to hold Young Kenyans Captive Without Presenting them in Court.
"Release Kavuli , Peter and Billy including all other abductees or present them to court as per the Kenyan Constitution. Stop impunity." Said Wamuchomba.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka shared that it is unfortunate that abductions are still ongoing despite him having a conversation on the issue with President William Ruto.
“It is so unfortunate that abductions are still happening in this country! I have personally spoken to President William Ruto & discouraged him over this. I hope these young Kenyans & anyone else abducted will be released to go back & celebrate Christmas with their families!”. He Said.
Narc-Kenya Party leader Hon. Martha Karua on the other Hand has Alleged President William Ruto's administration is working with Ugandan and Burundian Security Agencies to Carry out the Abductions.
The Senior Counsel, Called out President William Ruto for being 'Soft', Stating that Social Media Criticism should not irk State to the extent of holding young Kenyans Captive.
" The abduction squad operates outside the police force. Their command is independent, and only Ruto can tell us who these people are. No wonder they don't introduce themselves when abducting citizens," Karua said.
"He would not be abducting young people just because they created satire on social media. It's not a criminal offense; it might be distasteful, but it's not worth harming them over," She Added.
She urged the President to develop thicker skin and ignore the Satirical Social Media Posts.
"If you want to sit in the highest position in this country, you must arm yourself with asbestos. Don’t easily catch fire." Martha Stated.
Human Rights Organisations have Condemned the increasing abductions in the East African Country, aimed at silencing Social Media Users who Critic President William Ruto's Administration.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Thursday, December 26, responded to reports of police involvement in increased wave of abductions witnessed in the country.
In a statement, Kanja denied the allegations linking police to recent abductions witnessed in the country.
“The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that Police Officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya. For clarity, the Constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct but arrest criminal offenders,” read part of his statement.
Kanja explained that according to the Service Standing Orders, all arrests must be recorded in the Occurrence Book. Those arrested are then to be arraigned in court, or released from custody if they do not meet the procedural threshold for detention.
Kanja reiterated that the National Police Service is not involved in any abductions, stating categorically, “There is no police station in the country holding the reported abductees.
However, he cautioned social media users to be responsible when posting information online, even though the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression.
“While Kenya is a democratic country that upholds freedom of expression, this freedom comes with certain limitations and should always be exercised with the utmost responsibility,” Kanja warned.
Further, the Inspector General urged the public to avoid spreading false, fabricated, malicious, and misleading information that could harm the reputation and image of the National Police Service.
He stated that matters concerning abductions are under investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other independent organizations.
He also encouraged anyone with information about a missing person to report it to the nearest police station.