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DP Kindiki, 8 others urged to resign over abductions as MP Sudi faces backlash

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki when he assumed office vowing to protect the Kenyan Constitution. PHOTO/UGC.

By PATRICK MAYOYO

newshub@eyewitness.africa

In a chilling turn of events over the weekend, Kapsaret MP, Oscar Sudi, allegedly threatened a popular YouTuber for posting critical content about President William Ruto’s administration.

The incident has amplified growing concerns about political intolerance within the government, particularly among figures in the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Gilbert Kiptalam, the founder of the widely-followed Malema TV channel, shared the disturbing details of the encounter on Saturday afternoon through a video.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has been vocal in its condemnation of the current political climate.

These threats against Kiptalam come amid calls by KNCHR for the resignation of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Sudi, Tiaty MP William Kamket, Sirisia MP and John Waluke, from public office over their utterances supporting abductions.

The KNCHR also demanded for the immediate resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Douglas Kanja, for failing to take action against those behind the recent wave of abductions in the country.

According to Kiptalam, the threat came in the form of a 40-second phone call from Sudi, during which the MP allegedly warned him to stop posting “negative stories” about the government, or face dire consequences.

“If anything happens to me today, Sudi should be held accountable,” Kiptalam said in a tearful video posted to his channel. “My life is in danger. That call was threatening, and I feel unsafe.”

Kapsaret MP, Oscar Sudi, has been accused by YouTuber Gilbert Kiptalam, for threatening him. . PHOTO/UGC.

Kiptalam, whose YouTube channel serves as a crucial source of news and commentary, reported the incident to the Parklands Police Station.

A formal complaint was filed under Occurrence Book No. 52/04/01/25, and the matter has since been referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further investigation.

The threats come at a time of heightened political tension within the country, a situation that has been further exacerbated by recent developments.

Just days earlier, at National Assembly Speaker mother’s burial ceremony in Bungoma County, members of the ruling coalition, including figures close to President Ruto, exhibited what many perceived as an aggressive stance toward anyone critical of the government.

Their behaviour raised serious questions about the government’s tolerance for dissent, especially in the face of mounting criticism over various political and human rights issues including the ongoing wave of abductions.

These abductions, many believe, are being carried out by state security agencies, and the commission has raised alarm over the disturbing rise in such incidents, which have resulted in the disappearance of several individuals.

Kiptalam, whose YouTube business employs a team of journalists, emphasized that if anyone had issues with his content, they were free to pursue legal avenues, rather than resorting to intimidation.

“Malema TV is a business,” he explained. “If someone has a problem with what we do, they can go to the police or take legal action. Threats should not be the answer.”

However, Kiptalam believes the threats may be tied to his previous association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was recently impeached.

According to Kiptalam, Sudi and other Kenya Kwanza leaders had repeatedly urged him to sever ties with Gachagua, warning him that doing so could help him avoid further trouble.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen with President Ruto. He is among eight public officers KNCHR want to resign over their utterances supporting abductions. PHOTO/UGC.

“Malema, listen, these things you are posting should stop,” Kiptalam recalls Sudi saying during the call. “We have decided to confront these people. I don’t want your family to cry like others.”

As the threats continue to loom over Kiptalam, the broader context of this story paints a more ominous picture. Across the country, there has been a steady increase in reports of abductions and enforced disappearances, particularly targeting activists, journalists, and government critics.

The KNCHR has recorded 13 abduction cases in the last three months alone, bringing the total number of reported abductions since June 2024 to 82.

The Commission is calling for swift accountability from the government, especially as at least 29 individuals remain unaccounted for, with no clear answers from the authorities.

One of the most alarming recent cases involved the abduction of two young men, Hillary Munge and Elvis Langat, who were seized while traveling through Mai Mahiu, en route to Nairobi.

The mysterious disappearances of the pair, and others like them, have led many to question the role of security agencies in these disturbing events. Chepalungu MP Victor Koech, speaking out on the issue, condemned the actions of security forces.

“Abductions undermine the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and movement enshrined in our Constitution,” he said, adding that such actions tarnish the country’s democratic values and erode trust in law enforcement.

As Kiptalam navigates these threats to his safety, his fears reflect a wider atmosphere of unease gripping many Kenyans. For those in the media and opposition, the cost of speaking truth to power has never seemed so high.

In a country already grappling with human rights concerns, this latest incident raises important questions about the state of democracy in Kenya and the increasingly perilous role of the press in holding those in power accountable.

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