MP Chikati calls on Kenyans to acknowledge Ruto's efforts in addressing abductions

Tongaren MP John Chikati has voiced support for President William Ruto in light of his recent acknowledgment of abductions occurring under his leadership.

Chikati emphasized that Ruto should be recognized for his dedication to putting an end to such practices.

In an interview with the media on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Chikati responded to concerns about Ruto’s earlier stance, where he appeared to deny any knowledge of abductions.

This was widely interpreted as a reluctance to confront a growing human rights issue.

The Tongaren MP contended that, like any other leader, the president depends on reports from various state agencies, implying that his initial denials could have been due to incomplete intelligence briefings rather than intentional misinformation.

"As someone not deeply versed in security matters, I would like to point out that the president gets reports from different government arms on security issues," Chikati stated.

"Probably at the time the president was saying he did not have that information on the kidnaps, he did not get proper information from the security arms. Or they had not yet gathered proper information on that."

The MP highlighted President Ruto's recent statement assuring that abductions would no longer occur, framing it as evidence of decisive action at the highest level to tackle the problem.

"When the president declares that there will be no more abductions, it signals that he has implemented necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again," he stated.

He also expressed frustration over the lack of recognition for the president's acknowledgment of systemic shortcomings and his commitment to reform.

"We should recognize the credibility of his admission that there was a gap, a loophole. He’s acknowledged it and assured the public that it won’t happen again. However, critics have been reluctant to give him the credit he deserves. It’s important that we do," Chikati emphasized.

When asked about the appropriate response to Ruto's comments, especially considering the gravity of previous disappearances, some of which allegedly resulted in fatalities, Chikati highlighted the structural issues within the security sector.

"From what the president said and the presentation by NIS Director Noordin Haji to Parliament, it is clear that there is a need for increased funding for security agencies," Chikati remarked.

He pointed out that security shortcomings were partially the result of underfunded agencies and a lack of adequate resources.

"Perhaps that is one of the solutions. And as Haji correctly stated, we shouldn't have to resort to that. Without a boost in funding, the country remains vulnerable, both domestically and internationally. This is something we need to grasp. Strengthening internal security requires significant financial investment," he further explained.

The lawmaker also warned against politicizing national security issues, arguing that continuous attacks on the presidency could hinder efforts to stabilize the nation.

"It's not just about President Ruto. It's not about applying pressure on the president constantly. He also needs peace of mind to do his work," Chikati stated.