A Kenyan Cabinet minister has accused the country’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) of abducting his son last year, highlighting the growing public outcry over a spate of abductions in the country.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi disclosed that it took President William Ruto’s intervention to secure the release of his son, Leslie Muturi, who was abducted on June 22, 2023. Muturi is the first sitting minister to openly criticize the government’s handling of the abductions, a move that has sparked political and public debate.
In a statement to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, Muturi provided a detailed account of the incident, describing his frantic efforts to locate his son. He said he contacted senior government officials, including the Inspector General of Police, the Interior Minister, the DCI head, and the NIS chief, but none offered assistance.
Muturi claimed he eventually sought help directly from President Ruto at his official residence, alleging that the president made a phone call to NIS Director Noordin Haji, who confirmed holding his son and agreed to release him within an hour.
Muturi’s revelations have intensified criticism of the government’s response to abductions, which rights groups say have targeted at least 80 people in the past six months. The wave of kidnappings reportedly began after protests against tax increases in June 2023 and has since included foreign nationals.
Prominent cases include the brief abduction of Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai by armed men earlier this week and the 2022 kidnapping of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi, allegedly by Ugandan security operatives.
While the NIS and President Ruto have not commented on Muturi’s allegations, his public statement has fueled speculation of discord within the government. Some allied politicians have called for Muturi’s resignation, accusing him of breaching the principle of collective responsibility.
The president has previously pledged to end the abductions, urging parents to guide their children and warning young people against using social media to disrespect leaders. However, critics argue that his remarks fall short of addressing the systemic issues behind the disappearances.
The spate of abductions has raised concerns about the state’s role in these incidents, with victims often released following public pressure. Muturi’s decision to speak out has further exposed the divisions within the administration and drawn attention to the growing demand for accountability in Kenya.