Kenya joins the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) today amid growing protestations over police abductions and heavy-handedness in dealing with government critics.

On Monday, a leading global investigative journalism organisation revealed that President William Ruto had received the most votes as the world’s most corrupt leader during the release of its annual report on leaders “who do the most to wreak havoc around the world through organised crime and corruption”. 

Kenya was among several African countries elected into the 47-member council on October 9, a move that was criticised by civil societies owing to the country’s human rights record. UNHRC promotes and protects human rights worldwide.

On the same Monday, protesters demanded the release of Kenyans abducted by people believed to be police officers in December for criticising President Ruto. The demonstrators, who included Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, were arrested and presented in court yesterday and released on lenient bail terms. 

The High Court has since summoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over the abduction of Gideon Kibet, Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, Billy Mwangi, Rony Kiplangat and Steve Kavingo. Dr Ruto, who rode on a campaign to uphold human rights, has struggled to live by his word. He has shown great intolerance for dissent.

Government critics, such as anti-tax protesters in last year’s youth-led revolt, have been arrested and others abducted. Those kidnapped have often been too shaken to recount their ordeals, with those who spoke narrating horror stories from what seem to be torture chambers run by State security agencies.

Since 2023 when the opposition staged protests, more than 100 demonstrators have been killed, with others maimed. The police’s response to peaceful protests has been clobbering participants, hurling countless tear gas canisters at them and using water cannons. 

Western envoys and rights groups have often faulted Ruto for the State’s heavy-handedness. The UN, too, has joined in on the criticism over rights abuses. In 2023, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned police brutality against peaceful protesters.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), a civil society group, had opposed Kenya’s election into the UNHRC, citing the government’s poor human rights record. 

“We have outlined Kenya’s poor track record in upholding national and international human rights principles and its deliberate failure to address serious violations since this administration came to power two years ago. The regime continues to use State security and other agencies that, by definition of the Rome Statute, amount to crimes against humanity,” the KHRC and other rights groups said in a statement last October.

Kenya’s entry into the UNHRC is also blemished by a recent global ranking that placed Ruto as the second most corrupt leader in the world, only fairing better than deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

The ranking by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the world’s leading investigative journalism organisation, revealed that Ruto had received the most votes as the world’s most corrupt leader. 

“An unprecedented number of people, more than 40,000, wrote in to nominate Kenyan President William Ruto for “Person of the Year.” Fueled by a contentious Finance Bill proposal, youth unemployment, and rage at their corrupt government, young Kenyans held demonstrations for weeks this past June and July, demanding that Ruto steps down. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, arrests, and bullets. Many people were killed, injured, or went missing following the protests,” the OCCRP wrote.

Ruto’s nominations were record-breaking. Kenyans on social media had questioned the ranking as Ruto had gotten the most votes, but the OCCRP clarified that its judges had voted for Assad as the “Person of the Year” award was given to the person who had done “the most to wreak havoc around the world through organized crime and corruption.” By Brian Otieno, The Standard

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has challenged President William Ruto to be true to his word and ensure release of abductees.

He said many families are traumatised by the abduction of their children by an alleged special unit.

Gachagua spoke at Gakoigo grounds in Maragua, during the funeral service of four children who died after the house their house caught fire. 

“Am repeating again that the abduction is coordinated by a unit outside the police,” he said 

He warned Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja not to be misled like his predecessor Japheth Koome who resigned a few months ago.

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  Teargas, batons as Kenyans pour into the streets in 'day of rage'
   

The former DP urged to uphold the rule of the law and expose the unit a Senator Nyutu said the former DP is facing challenges owing to his love for the people after he was impeached.

Nyutu said the appointment of Prof Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President will not change the political stand of Mt Kenya people.

“The appointment of the Cabinet members from Mt Kenya will not change the political stand. Rift valley leaders should come out and condemn the abduction of the youth,” he said. 

“Those who abducted the youth should release them immediately,” he added.

Maragua MP Mary Wamaua said she was being branded as anti-government for cooperating with Gachagua. After Gachagua's impeachment, the cheap liquor is back in the villages thus a culture that should be tackled,” she said.

“Prof Kithure Kindiki as the DP cannot match the work of Gachagua who was committed to serve,” said Wamaua.

 She claimed that Gachagua’s allies are under threat.

On the abduction of the youth, Wamaua called for their immediate release, saying the incidents should stop.

“The children expressed their minds that they should be released, the mistake they made was drawing cartoons that imitated what is happening in the country,” she said.

Maragua MP accused the local police of failing to complete investigations into the death of the four children.

“If the family could be rich there could have been speedy investigation, which is against the rule of the law,” said Wamaua. 

She said the appointment of former Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Kembi Gitura to government will not change the support Gachagua enjoys in Murang’a. 

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Vice Commissioner Wambui Nyutu said the abduction of the youth is an undemocratic and should stop forthwith.

“The law is clear that if the youth had committed an offence they should be charged in court and due process to follow,” said Wambui.

A section of Murang’a MCAs led by deputy Speaker Gachui Mungai declared support for Gachagua.

“We are happy that the mountain has been intact and support you. But the region is annoyed over the increased abduction,” said Gachui.

NCIC Vice Commissioner Wambui Nyutu  said the abduction of the youth is an undemocratic.

“The law is clear that if the youth had committed an offence they should be charged in court and due process to follow,” said Wambui. By Boniface Gikandi, The Standard

Somalia facing worst floods in century

Africa faced unprecedented crises in 2024, as climate change, migrant accidents, mpox outbreaks, and armed conflicts devastated the continent and threatened the lives and livelihoods of millions.

With rising temperatures, droughts and floods, many were killed and displaced in various countries. For instance, a burst dam in northeastern Nigeria in September affected 1 million people, claiming at least 37 lives and displaced no fewer than 400,000, according to the Maiduguri state government.

In Somalia, 6.9 million -- almost two in five Somalis, need humanitarian assistance due to the worst drought that has left many helpless as the country ranks as the hungriest in the world per the 2024 Global Hunger Index.

Besides, many African countries also experienced numerous migrant accidents as many try to run from conflicts and economic hardship. Recent data by Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders), a Spanish migration rights group, show 10,457 deaths were recorded up to Dec. 15 of migrants while trying to reach Spain by sea this year.

The development highlights the need for safer migration pathways and humane border management policies.

There was also an increase in the number of mpox cases in Africa since the beginning of 2024 and urgent measures have been taken at the continental level.

Congo is the worst hit and World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency of global concern in August.

More than 1,300 suspected deaths due to mpox were reported in Africa.

Amid the above challenges, the continent continues to battle endless wars and armed violence which have caused the deaths of thousands, displaced millions, destroyed economies and created humanitarian crises.

​​​​​​​ Africa has a high number of armed conflicts per region with more than 35 non-international armed conflicts taking place in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. Many armed groups are fighting government forces or each other.

Kazeem Olalekan, a security and climate researcher, argued that the governments of African countries have not been faithful to their investment on the challenges of climate and other security challenges.

“The issue of proliferation of light and small arms is a major challenge that political office-holders have not seen a need to address and it is eating deep in our daily life. Generally, one will realize that the governments haven't done enough in fulfilling the terms of the social contract they willingly entered into with the people,” he told Anadolu.

“The health challenge is also there. Yet, authorities are not providing any form of health insurance for the people and they are also not investing in the health sector which is complicating health problems. Going forward, the governments need to sit up and start seeing the need to make living affordable for the people. The security and welfare of the people must be prioritized”

Experts have also urged the international community to redouble efforts to broker peace, support conflict resolution and address the root causes of the conflicts through climate-resilient agriculture, humane border management policies, promotion of community engagement to prevent and respond to outbreaks like mpox.​​​​​​​ Anadolu Agency