LSK demands justice for abducted Wajir MCA found dead in Lake Yahud

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for an independent investigation into the abduction and brutal killing of Wajir County's Member of County Assembly (MCA), Yussuf Ahmed.

Ahmed's mutilated body was discovered on Monday in Lake Yahud after being missing for over a month, raising concerns about rising extrajudicial killings.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned the murder, describing it as a gross violation of human rights, particularly the right to life, as enshrined in Article 26(1) of the Constitution of Kenya.

"We demand an investigation into the abduction and murder of Hon. Yussuf Hussein Ahmed," she said.

Odhiambo called on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to instruct the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to initiate an urgent probe into the crime and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The body of the Dela Ward MCA, which showed signs of severe torture and burns, was identified by Ahmed's family.

His disappearance occurred on September 13, 2024, when heavily armed men in two unmarked Land Cruiser Prados intercepted the taxi he was travelling in along Enterprise Road in Nairobi.

The family reported the abduction to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at Makadara Police Station under OB No. 86/13/09/2024, but no action was taken.

LSK president Faith Odhiambo at the Mîlîmanî law courts. (Photo: Joseph Ndunda)

Going further, LSK expressed outrage over the authorities' inaction and pledged that the LSK would closely monitor the case to ensure justice is served.

"The Law Society of Kenya will continue to monitor this case closely to ensure that justice is not only pursued but also served. The perpetrators must be brought to book without delay to restore confidence in our justice system," Odhiambo stated.

The LSK, acting on behalf of Ahmed's family, obtained a court order on September 26, 2024, requiring the DPP and DCI to produce Ahmed in court or provide an explanation of his whereabouts if he was in custody.

However, both institutions failed to comply with the court directive, further intensifying calls for accountability.

The family has been left devastated by the tragic turn of events and is demanding answers.

Ahmed's abduction and killing have sparked widespread outrage, with many accusing the state of failing to protect its citizens from extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances.

The LSK has emphasised that such violations should not be tolerated in a country that upholds constitutionalism and human rights.

"We cannot accept a culture of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Kenya. Justice must prevail, and the rule of law must be respected," Odhiambo added.