Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday acknowledged abuses by Kenyan security forces in the wake of protests against the latest wave of alleged kidnappings that have sparked outrage in the country.
Security forces in the East African nation have been accused of illegally detaining dozens after harshly suppressing youth-led anti-government protests in June and July.
And on Monday, police forcibly detained dozens of protesters and fired tear gas at small peaceful rallies demanding the release of the disappeared.
“It cannot be denied that there have been cases of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services,” Ruto said in his New Year address, without specifying what these actions might have been.
He said, “It is important to remember that every freedom has its limits, and public safety and order must always outweigh the desire for uncontrolled freedom.”
Last week, the embattled president promised to “stop kidnappings”, a pledge taken by human rights activists as an admission of guilt.
But he also urged parents to take responsibility for their children.
The latest disappearances largely involve young people who have criticized Ruto online.
Two of them had published an image created using artificial intelligence of the head of state lying in a coffin.
Ruto concluded, “These are clear signs that our moral fabric is in danger of decay due to various factors including the manipulation of digital technology, especially social media, to increase anti-social behavior and erode moral values. Has increased from.” -Year address.
A Nairobi court ruled on Monday that security forces must “immediately and unconditionally” release five people who were allegedly abducted.
Judge Bahati Mwamuye ordered police to produce the five in court on Tuesday or “state the circumstances of the case under oath” or reveal their whereabouts.
None of those missing were present in court, where a tearful father asked where his son was. The Inspector General of Police, who was also summoned, sent a representative in his place.
While police have denied any involvement in the disappearances, activists have questioned why they do not investigate them.
Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch said its research pointed to a unit drawn from multiple security agencies.
Last week, the Kenya National Human Rights Commission said it had counted seven cases of kidnapping recorded this month.
Six of those who disappeared are still missing.
Overall, 29 of the 82 people who have disappeared since June remain unaccounted for, according to the Human Rights Commission.