LSK demands urgent probe into abductions of lawyers, warns of persecution
LSK President Faith Odhiambo said lawyers pursuing matters of public interest had increasingly become the greatest targets in what she described as political repression intended to deter them from seeking truth and justice.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded urgent investigations into a growing list of enforced disappearances and abductions of lawyers, accusing state agencies of failing to protect advocates discharging their professional duties.
In a statement, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said lawyers pursuing matters of public interest had increasingly become the greatest targets in what she described as political repression intended to deter them from seeking truth and justice.
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“We strongly condemn all acts of reprisal and victimisation against Advocates of the High Court of Kenya for the faithful discharge of their duties. The disappearance of advocates, which has historically ended in their being found dead, should be treated as a matter of grave national concern,” Odhiambo said.
She cited the disappearance of Advocate Njau Kiyai four years ago, observing that there has been no progress in attempts to trace him. She also recalled the abduction and killing of human rights lawyer Willy Kimani, his client, and their taxi driver in 2016, one of the rare cases where police officers were convicted in 2023 for their involvement.
LSK announced that it has begun compiling records of forced disappearances, abductions, kidnappings and torture of advocates, particularly those that have been forgotten despite official reports being made.
“The Law Society of Kenya is in the process of collating a database of all unresolved cases of persecution of Advocates, in particular through abductions and kidnappings, to trace the extent of this tragic trend,” Odhiambo added.
She explained that the Society will present the database to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to facilitate thorough investigations.
“We will be submitting that information to the investigative agencies led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and demand that all pending and unreported matters be investigated expeditiously, those that have been rendered cold reactivated, and those that are awaiting prosecution be dealt with decisively and conclusively,” she said.
As the world marked the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on August 30, Odhiambo appealed to families of victims and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Society by sharing information that may assist in the investigations.
Amnesty International Kenya also weighed in on the matter, stressing that enforced disappearances remain one of the gravest violations of human rights and often go unnoticed. The organisation explained that an enforced disappearance occurs when an individual is abducted or detained by state officials, or with their authorisation, and the state refuses to acknowledge their fate or whereabouts.
“An enforced disappearance may last for days, months or even decades, with no assurance that it will ever end. This practice not only strips victims of their rights and protections under the law during the enforced disappearance, but also leaves families in agonising uncertainty during that time, unsure of their loved ones’ fate,” the organisation said.
The rights group urged the public to take an active role in raising awareness, arguing that solidarity and persistence have at times yielded accountability.
“While the injustice of enforced disappearances can feel overwhelming, individuals and communities around the world have shown that solidarity, pressure, and persistence can lead to answers and sometimes even accountability,” it added.
Amnesty International Kenya further encouraged Kenyans to use their voices and platforms to spotlight the crisis.
“You can help change that. Share information on social media using hashtags like EndEnforcedDisappearances and IDVED2025, and talk to your community about the people who have disappeared,” the organisation said.
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