Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has led 25 other legislators in calling for the creation of an independent commission of inquiry to look into issues bedeviling development in Kenya.
Among the he issues Karungo mentioned include abductions targeting government critics, politicisation of the Kenya police Service and resurgence of criminal gangs.
In a press statement, the lawmaker decried the rising cases of human rights violations and demanded for accountability and swift action geared towards restoration of justice.
He expressed concerns over recent cases of abductions and disappearances of individuals perceived to be critical of the government.
The senator cited the furtive release of five young men, who had been abducted and found in different locations across the country, citing the unresolved case of the “Kitengela Three” who were reportedly tortured for over 30 days.
According to the leader, such cases reflected a coordinated effort to silence opposition and to instill fear among citizens.
“We stand united in demanding for justice and accountability for all Kenyans. Together, we can uphold our democratic values,” said Thang’wa.
The lawmaker emphasised that the proposed commission of inquiry must operate independently in order to investigate the abductions, misuse of public resources and reappearance of criminal gangs that have been linked to politics.
The statement issued also pointed out failure by security agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the police, to act on these occurrences while accusing the security agencies abdicating their responsibilities as they played ignorant of the perpetrators of the abductions.
The document also took issue with the government’s response describing it as vague and insufficient in addressing the grave issues at hand.
It further outlined key demands among them a comprehensive investigation into abductions, land-grabbing scandals and politically motivated violence.
Thang’wa urged National Assembly to convene special sittings to deliberate the issues highlighted while calling on President William Ruto to prioritise the release of all remaining abductees and push towards reforms in law enforcement to ensure public safety and the rule of law.
By Sylvia Wanjohi
