As cases of abductions continue to increase in the country, President William Ruto has sent a warning to Kenyans who wish to exercise their constitutional rights of protest, saying every 'right has a limit.'
Speaking during his New Year message to Kenyans on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, the president warned that while the Constitution allows them to protest, they should not misuse this freedom and end up causing harm to others.
"It is crucial to remember that every freedom has its limits and that public safety and order must always supersede the desire for unchecked liberty. We must ensure that our pursuit of rights and freedoms does not compromise our collective or individual safety, nor should we allow criminals to exploit constitutional rights to harm and destroy others," Ruto warned.
According to Ruto, the freedom and liberty in the Constitution should not be misused and taken advantage of by criminals who aim to harm others.
The warning by Ruto to protestors comes two days after activists led Kenyans to protest against the ongoing cases of abductions.
During the protest that happened on Monday, December 30, 22 Kenyans, including activists, lawyers, and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, were arrested, they were later released on Ksh1,000 bail.
The promise of accountability for cases of abduction comes at a time when the country continues to face cases of unprecedented disappearances. Ruto's sentiments come barely a week after Kenyans witnessed six people being abducted.
On Monday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to personally produce the six individuals abducted by unidentified individuals linked to security agencies.
Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Billy Mwangi, Gideon Kibet, Rony Kiplangat, and Steve Kavingo, all known critics of President Ruto’s administration, were abducted during the Christmas period and have been missing since then.
As the country ushers in 2025, Ruto has challenged stakeholders to reflect on the failures that have led to the freedoms in the constitution being misused and misinterpreted, harming other Kenyans.
The president has blamed the increase in violent crimes like femicide, abductions, and disappearances on selfishness and a lack of shared values by relevant stakeholders.
"In the spirit of fostering a candid national conversation, I urge every critical stakeholder to reflect deeply on the failures that have led people to adopt radical, individualistic, and self-centred interpretations of rights and freedoms, interpretations that often seem fundamentally opposed to the rights of others and the collective good," Ruto noted.
