Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed gratitude to elected leaders who have continued to speak out against abductions and extra-judicial killings in Kenya. He emphasized the importance of addressing these issues, which he described as state-sanctioned violations of human rights.
“This matter is of great interest to the Kenyan people and the world, and I am proud that some leaders are able to go beyond clear attempts by the state to wish this issue away,” Gachagua stated. He called for the establishment of an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abductions and killings, ensuring accountability and justice for victims and their families.
Gachagua highlighted the need for transparency in addressing these allegations, noting that such a process would reveal the extent of state actions aimed at stifling dissent and silencing independent voices. He also urged Kenyans of goodwill to support counseling initiatives for affected families and to counter efforts to instill fear in young people.
“We must get to the bottom of these gross human rights violations, identify and prosecute everyone involved, and ensure this will never happen again,” he said.
He further commended Kenyans who remain resilient against intimidation, coercion, or suppression, underscoring the constitutional right to freedom of expression. “Kenya is not a banana republic,” Gachagua declared, calling for the law to be upheld in addressing grievances rather than resorting to human rights violations.
