Kenyan Minister Justin Muturi has accused intelligence agencies of being behind his son’s abduction

Mr. Ruto and the intelligence agency did not comment on his allegations.

At least 80 people, including the minister’s son, have been kidnapped in the past six months, according to a state-funded rights group.

The wave of kidnappings began after protests against a tax hike last June, and has continued ever since.

Some of the abductees have been released after public pressure.

Earlier this week, the minister told reporters that he had not received an answer about his son’s abduction, despite reaching out to top security officials.

Muturi said the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) then urged him to record a statement with them, saying the matter was still under investigation.

In his statement to the DCI, Muturi recalled calling the inspector general of police, the home minister, the head of the DCI, the head of the intelligence agency and other top officials when he was determined to find his son – but, he added, everyone was there. can’t help.

He said he also sent a message to Ruto, but later decided to visit his official residence to raise the matter directly with him.

“I then told the ordeal (to the president) including my interactions with various senior government officials who were unable to help. I expressed my belief that the NIS is holding my son,” Muturi said in a statement.

He said that the president made a joke about the matter and then called the head of the intelligence agency, who promised to release his son within an hour.

“I heard the president ask (NIS director) Noordin Haji if he is holding my son. (He) confirmed that he is indeed holding my son and the president ordered him to release Leslie immediately,” added Muturi.

Muturi has heeded calls from some politicians allied to the government to resign for publicly criticizing the government he served in.

Foreign nationals were also abducted, including prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, who on Monday told how she was abducted by gunmen and released hours later.

Last year, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was kidnapped in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, allegedly by Ugandan security officials, and brought across the border to be tried by a court martial.