The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has issued a warning over the escalating human rights abuses in the country, including abductions, torture, and killings of Kenyans.
In a November 14, 2024 statement signed by the Archbishop of Kisumu and Chairman of the Conference, Most Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba, the Bishops expressed concern about the ongoing violence, particularly the murder of women and the tragic loss of lives linked to political unrest in the East African country.
“We are appalled by the blatant recurring incidents of reported abductions, disappearances, torture, and killings of Kenyans,” the Bishops stated, condemning what they described as a disturbing rise in violence that has shaken the nation.
The Bishops highlighted the case of victims who disappeared or were killed during the “GenZ demonstrations” in June 2024, when protests over corruption erupted across the country. “Many families are still grappling with the loss of their children who were brutally killed, injured, or went missing following what is referred to as ‘GenZ demonstrations,'” the statement said.
The statement further questioned the role of the government in these alarming events, calling on authorities to ensure the safety and protection of every citizen. “Who is abducting these people, and is the Government unable to stop these abductions and killings?” the Bishops asked, demanding accountability and a clear response from those in power.
“The Government must protect the life of every human person in Kenya,” the Bishops declared, stressing that the state must take responsibility for upholding the law and ensuring justice for all Kenyans, particularly the victims of these violent acts.
