LSK Calls for Immediate Investigation into Lawyer Abductions, Decries Persecution
Quote from Lawyer on September 1, 2025, 6:30 amThe Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a strong call for urgent investigations into what it describes as a disturbing wave of abductions and harassment targeting lawyers across the country. In a statement released on Saturday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned these incidents as acts of persecution that undermine the justice system and violate fundamental human rights. The society highlighted that the increasing frequency of unresolved abductions has left families in distress and eroded public trust in the authorities' ability to ensure safety and accountability.
The LSK pointed out that Kenya has witnessed hundreds of abductions over the past two years, with many cases remaining unresolved. Some victims have returned home, while others have been found dead, and several remain missing. The society emphasized that the lack of accountability in these cases has emboldened perpetrators, allowing such crimes to persist. These abductions, according to the LSK, constitute violations of non-derogable rights under Article 29 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to security and freedom from arbitrary detention.
The statement underscored the critical role advocates play in upholding justice and national stability, noting that their work often exposes them to significant risks. The LSK condemned the persecution of lawyers as unjustifiable, stating that it threatens the integrity of the legal profession and the broader justice system. The society recalled several high-profile cases, including the abductions and murders of lawyers Oscar Kingara and Willie Kimani, as well as the unresolved disappearance of Advocate Njau Kiyai, abducted in February 2021. The case of Kiyai, like many others, has gone cold, leaving his family without answers and reflecting a broader failure to deliver justice.
To address this crisis, the LSK announced it is compiling a comprehensive database of all unresolved cases of advocate persecution, with a particular focus on abductions and kidnappings. This database will be submitted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further action. The society urged families, colleagues, and clients of affected advocates to provide information to support this initiative. LSK President Faith Odhiambo emphasized the need for prompt investigations into all pending and unreported cases, calling for cold cases to be reopened and those awaiting prosecution to be handled decisively.
The LSK's statement was issued to coincide with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed annually on August 30. Odhiambo stressed that the enforced disappearances of advocates, some of which have ended in death, must be treated as a matter of grave national concern. She called on the government to guarantee the safety of lawyers, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of reprisal or victimization. The society reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice for victims and holding those responsible accountable, warning that the ongoing silence and inaction from authorities only serve to deepen public distrust.
The LSK's call to action comes amid growing public concern over abductions, particularly those targeting individuals critical of the government, including activists and social media influencers. The society’s efforts to document and address these cases aim to shed light on the scale of the problem and pressure authorities to act swiftly to protect advocates and uphold the rule of law.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a strong call for urgent investigations into what it describes as a disturbing wave of abductions and harassment targeting lawyers across the country. In a statement released on Saturday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned these incidents as acts of persecution that undermine the justice system and violate fundamental human rights. The society highlighted that the increasing frequency of unresolved abductions has left families in distress and eroded public trust in the authorities' ability to ensure safety and accountability.
The LSK pointed out that Kenya has witnessed hundreds of abductions over the past two years, with many cases remaining unresolved. Some victims have returned home, while others have been found dead, and several remain missing. The society emphasized that the lack of accountability in these cases has emboldened perpetrators, allowing such crimes to persist. These abductions, according to the LSK, constitute violations of non-derogable rights under Article 29 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to security and freedom from arbitrary detention.
The statement underscored the critical role advocates play in upholding justice and national stability, noting that their work often exposes them to significant risks. The LSK condemned the persecution of lawyers as unjustifiable, stating that it threatens the integrity of the legal profession and the broader justice system. The society recalled several high-profile cases, including the abductions and murders of lawyers Oscar Kingara and Willie Kimani, as well as the unresolved disappearance of Advocate Njau Kiyai, abducted in February 2021. The case of Kiyai, like many others, has gone cold, leaving his family without answers and reflecting a broader failure to deliver justice.
To address this crisis, the LSK announced it is compiling a comprehensive database of all unresolved cases of advocate persecution, with a particular focus on abductions and kidnappings. This database will be submitted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further action. The society urged families, colleagues, and clients of affected advocates to provide information to support this initiative. LSK President Faith Odhiambo emphasized the need for prompt investigations into all pending and unreported cases, calling for cold cases to be reopened and those awaiting prosecution to be handled decisively.
The LSK's statement was issued to coincide with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed annually on August 30. Odhiambo stressed that the enforced disappearances of advocates, some of which have ended in death, must be treated as a matter of grave national concern. She called on the government to guarantee the safety of lawyers, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of reprisal or victimization. The society reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice for victims and holding those responsible accountable, warning that the ongoing silence and inaction from authorities only serve to deepen public distrust.
The LSK's call to action comes amid growing public concern over abductions, particularly those targeting individuals critical of the government, including activists and social media influencers. The society’s efforts to document and address these cases aim to shed light on the scale of the problem and pressure authorities to act swiftly to protect advocates and uphold the rule of law.