THE Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has raised the alarm over the growing number of government critics who have apparently been abducted.

Four people were reported missing over the weekend, bringing the total number of abductions to 82 since anti-government protests rocked the country in June.

Four social media users went missing after they shared AI-generated images of President William Ruto that were deemed offensive by supporters of the government.

The human rights commission warned on Thursday that Kenya was heading back to the “dark days” of government critics disappearing. The abduction and torture of the opposition was common under the late president Daniel Moi.

Commission chairwoman Roselyne Odede said: “We wish to remind the NPS [police] of its role in securing Kenyans from such violent acts, particularly noting that these abductions are happening in broad daylight, with some of them being captured on CCTV, but still no arrests are taking place.”

Rights groups allege that police are behind the abductions, but the force has denied involvement and insisted that officers are investigating the disappearances.

A joint statement by 21 human rights groups issued on Wednesday urged police to hold those responsible for the abductions accountable.

“Any failure to act sets a dangerous precedent and will embolden further violations of human rights,” the statement read.