Nairobi: The government is advocating for the enactment of a new law aimed at addressing the rising cases of forced disappearances and staged kidnappings in the country. This legislative move seeks to establish a legal framework to fill current gaps following public outcry over the open kidnappings of Kenyans, particularly during the peak of Gen Z protests last year.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, Kipchumba Murkomen, has highlighted the issue of increased instances of fake and staged kidnappings and disappearances. Murkomen pointed out the recent case of Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburu, which security officials deemed a fabricated event, as the MP remained hospitalized at Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
The case involving MP Koimburu raised public concern, prompting the government to investigate the alleged abductions. Murkomen emphasized the necessity of implementing a strong legal framework to impose severe penalties on perpetrators of staged abductions, some of whom exploit public sympathy and extort money from relatives.
Murkomen stressed that laws governing staged abductions and kidnappings are currently inadequate, urging Parliament to swiftly enact legislation to address these rising occurrences amid a tense political climate. He reiterated President William Ruto’s commitment to stopping extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and abductions, warning that no individual is above the law.
The CS made these remarks in Naivasha during a meeting with MPs on the Strategic Trade Control Committee regarding the proposed Strategic Goods Control Bill (2025), which aims to curb the proliferation of goods and weapons of mass destruction in the country.
Murkomen stated that the proposed bill will help manage the import and export of strategic goods that pose national security threats. He highlighted Kenya’s role as a key trading route from Mombasa port through the Northern corridor, emphasizing the need to regulate materials transported along this route for security reasons.
He expressed concern over the illicit trade of strategic materials, which has resulted in the loss of security personnel and civilians through explosives such as IEDs, particularly in Northern Kenya and the Mboni forest in Lamu. Murkomen urged lawmakers to familiarize themselves with the bill’s contents to combat misinformation and disinformation that have previously hindered important government legislation.
The proposed law, Murkomen stated, will impose hefty fines of up to Sh. 50 million and sentences exceeding 10 years for trading with strategic goods without permits.
MP Rasso Ali stated that once enacted, the bill will regulate the movement of dangerous goods and materials posing security risks to the country and the region. He noted that the bill, which has been in development since 2018, will enable the traceability of imported harmful materials, their storage, and use to enhance national security.
James Potts, Economic Counselor at the US Embassy in Nairobi, remarked that Kenya will be the third African country to pass legislation on strategic goods. Once enacted, the law will protect Kenya’s ability to combat terrorism and control trading materials of mass destruction within its borders and across the continent.
Potts added that the legislation will also provide a legal framework for investors in critical sectors such as semiconductors to establish operations in the country. The adoption of the bill is anticipated to mitigate challenges that could make the country a target for the smuggling and proliferation of harmful materials, goods, and chemicals.