Human rights coalition demands answers over disappearance of Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi

The Coalition for Human Rights Defenders, Constitutionalism and Refugee Protection has condemned the alleged abduction, expressing concern that the advocate's whereabouts remain unknown despite court interventions and mounting demands for accountability.

In a statement dated November 10, the coalition, through its head David Livingstone Kose Oyombe, demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abdi's disappearance and accountability for anyone found responsible.

The organisation maintained that no individual or security agency has the authority to abduct, secretly detain or conceal the whereabouts of a Kenyan citizen, warning that such actions violate fundamental constitutional protections.

"No individual or security agency has the authority to abduct, secretly detain or conceal the whereabouts of any Kenyan citizen," the statement read.

The coalition cited Articles 29, 49 and 25 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom and security of the person, protect the rights of arrested individuals and prohibit torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

It further demanded that Abdi be released unconditionally if he is being unlawfully detained or, should there be lawful grounds for his arrest, be presented before a competent court and accorded his constitutional rights.

The coalition also called for the preservation and independent examination of CCTV footage, vehicle records, communication evidence and other forensic material that could help establish the circumstances of his disappearance.

It urged authorities to investigate the alleged involvement of armed individuals and any security personnel, insisting that those implicated should face legal consequences regardless of their rank, office or political connections.

Beyond Abdi's case, the organisation raised concerns over the safety of legal practitioners, journalists, witnesses and human rights defenders, warning against intimidation and threats targeting individuals undertaking their professional responsibilities.

"The safety of advocates, witnesses, journalists and human rights defenders must be guaranteed. No legal practitioner should face intimidation, threats or disappearance for undertaking professional responsibilities," the coalition stated.

It also called for effective protection of Abdi's family, legal representatives and potential witnesses, particularly those participating in legal proceedings relating to his disappearance.

The coalition appealed to the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to urgently intervene.

It further urged relevant international human rights institutions to take an interest in the matter.

Oyombe maintained that national security considerations cannot override constitutional protections, arguing that the government bears the responsibility of safeguarding citizens and ensuring accountability for alleged rights violations.

"National security must never become a justification for violating human dignity, constitutional freedoms and the fundamental right to life," the statement read.

The coalition also called for an end to abductions, extrajudicial killings, torture and unlawful detention, insisting that every reported violation should be subjected to an independent investigation.

"A missing Kenyan deserves answers. A detained Kenyan deserves justice. A deceased Kenyan deserves an independent investigation and accountability," it added.

The circumstances surrounding Abdi's reported abduction remain the subject of calls for investigation, with the coalition demanding urgent action to establish his whereabouts