Muslim leaders now want Ruto to form a commission of inquiry to probe extrajudicial killings committed during Uhuru’s reign

NAIROBI—Muslim leaders now want a commission of inquiry constituted to investigate and bring to justice all those suspected of criminal responsibility for extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances.

For more than a decade, hundreds of Muslims and other Kenyans have disappeared under unexplained circumstances, and many were later found dead and dumped in unfamiliar places including rivers and forests.

Speaking during an Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto at State House on the last days of Ramadan, Muslim leaders called for inquiry into the matter which was rife under Kenyatta’s regime.

Jamia Mosque Nairobi Deputy Chairman Abdullatif Essajee urged the President to form board of Inquiry to probe the cases of missing persons during the previous administrations stating that many families are still in anguish following the disappearances of their dear ones.

“In the interest of justice, it is our request in line with your promise that an inquiry is formed to probe the cases of the missing persons as many families remain in anguish following the disappearances of their loved ones,” he said.

However, the Jamia Mosque Nairobi Deputy Chairman lauded the President for keep-ing his pledge on ending the systematic killings.

“While extrajudicial killings and disappearances were the order of the day for more than a decade, we are here to attest that since you took the reins of office eight months ago, no single case of abduction, kidnapping and killing has been reported. It is a matter which we highly appreciate,” said Abdullatif, a Jamia Mosque top official.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir challenged the President to leave a legacy that no extrajudicial killings will never happen so that the future generations can be able to emulate that we can have justice without necessarily targeting people by virtues of their religious practices.

On his part, President William Ruto assured Kenyans that no extrajudicial killings will occur under his watch.

“I made a promise during my campaign trail, that I would stop extra judicial killings. No mother, no Kenyan will die under circumstances that the government of Kenya cannot explain,” President Ruto said.

According to President Ruto, the Muslim community has been the target of extrajudicial killings in the past under the guise of the war on terror group, al-Shabaab.