NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — An opposition politician and several other protesters were arrested in Kenya on Monday during street demonstrations calling for an end to alleged abductions, that recently targeted young government critics.
Senator Okiya Omtatah had joined hundreds of protesters who sat down on the streets of the capital, Nairobi while chanting that police should free seven people abducted this month.
Police hurled tear gas canisters at the protesters and when Omtatah and several others did not disperse and held on to a long chain, they were arrested.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on Thursday raised concern over a growing number of alleged kidnappings of government critics, saying that the total number of such cases stands at 82 since the anti-government protests in June.
President William Ruto on Saturday said the government would stop the abductions so that young people live in peace.
Rights groups allege the country’s police force is behind such kidnappings, but police have denied involvement and have said that they are investigating the disappearances.
Senator Omtatah on Monday filed a case at the High Court in Nairobi seeking to compel the government to free seven youths, accusing the police of abducting them.
“If they have committed a crime, let them be prosecuted and presented in court to defend themselves,” he said.
Young protesters said they were in solidarity with those abducted while going about their daily lives.
“We are existing at a time where we have to live in fear,” a protester, Orpah Thabiti said.
Four social media users went missing after they shared AI-generated images of President Ruto that were deemed offensive by government supporters.
The rights commission had warned that Kenya was heading back to the “dark days” of the disappearance of government critics. The abduction and torture of the opposition were common under the administration of the late President Daniel Moi.
Police arrest protesters who have chained themselves during protests against abductions in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)
A man lies down on the ground after being tear-gassed by police during a protests against abductions dubbed "End Protests" in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)
A man reacts after being tear-gassed by police during protests against abductions dubbed 'EndProtests' in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)
Police on horses surround protesters during protests against abductions in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks knew Jalen Brunson couldn't play. Then they were thrown a surprise when neither could the guy who was supposed to replace him.
Without their leading scorer and down to their third choice for a starting point guard, the Knicks beat the Utah Jazz 119-103 on Wednesday night for their ninth straight victory.
Brunson was ruled out about 40 minutes before the game because of right calf tightness. Deuce McBride was expected to start in his place.
However, McBride developed left hamstring tightness and was scratched just before the game.
“Probably like right before they called the lineups,” said Cam Payne, who was then told he would start. “Halfway thought they weren’t going to call my name. I thought they were going to call Deuce and I was going to have to run out there, honestly. That’s how close it was to the lineups.”
Payne finished with eight points and nine assists. To back him up, the Knicks used rookie Tyler Kolek for 12 minutes off the bench.
That made it a 52-minute day for Kolek, who logged 40 minutes in a G League game in the afternoon, finishing with 36 points and 11 assists in the Westchester Knicks’ overtime victory against Indiana. He had two points and four assists versus Utah.
Brunson scored a season-high 55 points in a win at Washington on Saturday, but then struggled to a 6-for-17 shooting performance two nights later in the rematch.
Brunson is the Knicks' leading scorer with 25.2 points per game. They relied heavily on him last season and had a hard time finding enough offense on nights when he struggled. But when he missed his first game of the season Wednesday, they got 12 assists from Josh Hart in his second straight triple-double and finished with 31 assists while shooting 55% from the field.
“It just shows a difference between last year and this year,” Hart said. “Last year, him out, not sure how that would have went.”
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New York Knicks' Josh Hart, right, drives past Utah Jazz's Svi Mykhailiuk during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Tyler Kolek (13) drives past Utah Jazz's Brice Sensabaugh (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart (3) shoots over Utah Jazz's Brice Sensabaugh (28) and Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
