'Not me, ask the police!' President Ruto distances himself from abduction queries

President William Ruto now wants the Inspector General of Police and the National Police Service (NPS) to answer questions by Kenyans on recent abductions in the country as pressure continues to mount on the whereabouts of the six abducted youths.

The President, however, says the law shall not be applied selectively and urged the youth to be responsible in their use of social media.

"The National Police Service, being an independent body, is able to conduct investigations," Ruto said.

He stated that the government only focuses on issuing policy directives and does not meddle with police operations.

"The law should not apply selectively to keep everybody on the right side of the law," he added.

While replying to his critics, President Ruto stated that he is not fazed by the ridicule and backlash: "Wengine wanasema Kasongo sijui Zakayo..."

Leaders who accompanied the President to the burial of the mother of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula engaged in a fierce exchange over the abductions.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya found himself in trouble for calling out the government on the spate of abductions. His sentiments were met with a fierce rejoinder by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Natembeya: "For a leader to stand here and say there are no abductions, it’s unfortunate."

Ichung’wah in response said, "You were a Regional Commissioner the other day when there were abductions..."

A battle for supremacy in Western Kenya was seen to play out between Speaker Wetangula and Natembeya, with President Ruto throwing a veiled barb at Natembeya:

"Kuna wengine wanafanya siasa za kugawanya watu..." Ruto said.

Questions on the whereabouts of those abducted still linger. Despite a clamour for their release, no answers have been given by state agencies.