All missing Kenyans have returned home, says President Ruto

President William Ruto has said that there are no missing persons in the country and all those previously reported missing have been reunited with their families.

He gave the assurance during a joint press briefing with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Speaking in response to a journalist’s question on government efforts to prevent enforced disappearances, Ruto said, "All the people who disappeared or were abducted have been brought back to their families and their homes."

 "I have given clarity and firm instructions that nothing of that kind will happen again," he added.

The president was speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Monday.

Rights groups have continued to raise alarm over rising cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings.

A recent report by 'Missing Voices' revealed there were 55 cases of enforced disappearances in 2024.

The report said the highest number was recorded in June during protests by Gen Z and Millennials against the Finance Bill 2024, with 15 cases documented.

October followed with 11 cases, while July and August each had seven.

Ruto maintained that his administration will not allow the return of such practices.

"I undertook to the country that, being a democracy, Kenya must not, as has happened in the past, where bodies were found in all manner of places, that will not happen anymore," he said.

The 'Missing Voices' report noted that bringing those responsible to justice remains difficult.

Most of the abductions were carried out by plainclothes individuals in hooded gear, using unmarked vehicles without local plates, making it hard to trace those behind the incidents.