Parliament seeks clarification from IG on Kenyans missing after abductions

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula on Tuesday morning directed the Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to get in touch with the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and find out whether he has information about some Kenyans recently abducted by unknown persons.

Wetangula gave the instruction after Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi rose on a point of order seeking the intervention of the Speaker in establishing the whereabouts of one of his members of staff, Gabriel Oguda, who is missing.

“Would I be right Honourable Speaker to request you that before we proceed, you use your powers under the Constitution to compel whoever has abducted the officer in the Office of the Minority Leader to be produced, otherwise this House will continue to be under siege,” stated Wandayi

According to Wandayi, Oguda, an outspoken social media user, was allegedly kidnapped from his home in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Wandayi also wanted the IG to come forth with the whereabouts of these other seven Kenyans, said to have been abducted because of their role in the ongoing protests against the Finance Bill 2024. Those missing alongside Oguda include persons known in their social media space as Osama, Drey, TemperCR7, Harriet, Shad Kiprono, Franje, and Wordsmith.

“These are young Kenyans who are fighting for our rights, for the rights of the downtrodden,” said Wandayi

The Majority Leader undertook to follow up the matter with the Inspector General and report back to the House at the earliest time possible.

“I will check with the IG of the police whether the said officer is in the hands of the police so that we avoid speculation and anything we may be saying of abductions, kidnaps,” vowed Ichung’wah