By Wasike Elvis
Renowned gospel singer and politician, Reuben Kigame, was arrested by anti-riot police yesterday as he led a group of youths in a protest against the ongoing abductions in Eldoret. The protest, which aimed to draw attention to the rising cases of forced disappearances, saw hundreds of demonstrators march through the streets, calling for justice and the release of abducted youths.
The protest quickly turned dramatic when police officers apprehended Kigame and several protesters, frog-marching them to the Central Police Station. Eyewitnesses watched as the group was escorted to the station, while officers removed the protest placards, effectively halting the peaceful demonstration.
At the police station, the arrested protesters were briefly detained for about 20 minutes before being released with a stern warning. Authorities insisted the protest had not been sanctioned, citing security concerns as the reason for the intervention. A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the protest had not been pre-notified, and therefore, the police had no obligation to provide security or an escort.
Kigame, speaking to the media at Nandi Garden later in the day, condemned the police action, insisting that their demonstration did not require a permit. He expressed frustration with what he termed the "dictatorial" actions of the current government and the increased police brutality. "We demand the immediate release of all the abducted youths and an end to police violence against peaceful protesters," he said, stressing that the fight would continue until justice prevailed.
The protest, which drew significant attention, was part of a larger wave of unrest over alleged police abductions and the treatment of young people in the region. Police forces, aware of potential further unrest, patrolled known hot spots throughout the day, including Zion Mall street and the Eldoret-Nakuru highway, in anticipation of further demonstrations.
Kigame's arrest and the subsequent protest have reignited public debate over human rights, police accountability, and the state of democracy in the country. The situation remains tense as Eldoret residents continue to voice their concerns over the growing number of abductions and what they see as a crackdown on civil liberties.