Amnesty International attacks William Ruto’s govt for abducting Kenyans over protests against tax hike
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has condemned the Kenyan government of William Ruto for secretly abducting citizens amid nationwide protests against controversial tax imposition on some commodities.
“We condemn the recent wave of abductions targeting citizens involved in the #RejectFinanceBillEntirely protests,” Amnesty International said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
The human rights organisation said that 12 abductions took place over the last five days, with an alarming surge last night.
Abduction of protesters, Amnesty International, said is “gross violations of human rights, constituting arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, as prohibited under Article 29 of the Kenyan Constitution, 2010.”
“Contradictory approach to #RejectFinanceBillEntiely protests where the @WilliamsRuto & @InteriorKE state that they respect right to assembly, while @NPSOfficial_KE abducts, detains & uses excess force on peaceful protestors,” the organisation added.
Last Tuesday, widespread protests broke out as Kenya parliament deliberated on a finance bill imposing taxes on car, bread and other commodities.
Although the parliament announced an adjustment to the bill, Kenyans remained on the streets rejecting the bill in its entirety.
“We have had a robust public engagement on the proposed Finance Bill. We have adjusted the document accordingly. We are glad we are having conversations about issues, and our institutions are working. This is how democracies function, ’’ Mr Ruto tweeted last week Tuesday.
The protest has seen a 24-year old protester killed as Kenya police unleash violence on protesters with water cannons and teargas.
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