‘Abductions and Mistreatment Should Stop’ – Senator Onyonka Calls for End to Insecurity Surge.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has spoken out strongly against the rising insecurity in Kenya, particularly the alarming cases of abductions and mistreatment targeting citizens.

In a statement made on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Onyonka urged an end to these violations, emphasizing the need for Kenya to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms as outlined in the country’s 2010 Constitution.

“The bad habits like abductions and mistreatment of our people that we have carried from the past should stop,” he wrote on his X account. “The fundamental rights and freedoms in our progressive 2010 Constitution must be observed and respected for us to have a just, peaceful, and law-abiding country.”

Speaking further during a live TV interview on the same day, Onyonka expressed concern over the resurgence of practices such as abductions and extrajudicial killings, issues that had plagued previous administrations and prompted Kenyans to push for a constitution that safeguards human rights, freedom, and democracy.

“This is what worries me,” he noted, highlighting the limited awareness among younger Kenyans, aged 25 to 30, of the oppressive tactics once prevalent. “What is happening here at the national level happened before. It’s these events that motivated Kenyans to rise up and bring in a constitution that respects human rights and civil liberties, ensuring every Kenyan’s freedom.”

Onyonka also defended the right to picket as a constitutional means for Kenyans to express grievances, noting that protests are not aimed at destabilizing the government but are instead a legitimate avenue for public expression.

“Demonstrating and disagreeing with the government is one of the ways the public vents their frustrations without necessarily wanting to overthrow the government,” he added.

The senator clarified that raising concerns about insecurity is not an attempt to undermine the government’s reputation but a call to address real issues affecting citizens.

“We are not trying to tarnish the government’s reputation,” Onyonka stressed. “We’re simply stating facts. Young people are disappearing; some are being tracked, arrested, or even killed for participating in Gen-Z protests,” he revealed during the interview.

“The bad habits like abductions and mistreatment of our people that we have carried from the past should STOP. The fundamental rights and freedoms in our progressive 2010 Constitution must be OBSERVED and RESPECTED for us to have a just, peaceful, and law-abiding country.”

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.