Police deny involvement in abductions, tell Kenyans to refrain from spreading malicious information

In a statement, Kanja asserted that no police station in the country is currently holding the reported abductees.

“For clarity, the Constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct, but arrest criminal offenders,” Kanja said.

The police boss further appealed to anyone with information about any missing person to report to the nearest police station.

“The procedure as per the Service Standing Orders informs that all arrests be recorded in the Occurrence Book for subsequent arraignment in court of law, otherwise, the suspects be released from Police custody if they fail to meet the procedural threshold.”

He also called on Kenyans to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly, adding that the allegations are aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the National Police Service.

“We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service,” he added.

Kanja added that the matter in question is subject to investigation by Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and any other independent body.

This comes in the wake of abductions in the country, with four families in agony following the disappearance of their kin, reported to have been abducted. 

In the latest incident, cartoonist Kibet Bull, real name Gideon Kibet has been reported missing. 

According to Kibet’s family, his brother Rony Kiplangat has also been missing since Saturday. 

Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti and Billy Mwangi have also been reported missing and footage of them being taken forcefully was seen across media platforms.

The youthful Kenyans went missing after making controversial posts on social media. 

The abductions have sparked uproar across Kenya, which the police being accused of forcefully taking the social media users. 

On Wednesday, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it has received reports of abductions perpetrated by police.