LSK demands IPOA publish resolved abduction cases amid rising disappearances

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has vowed to sustain its nationwide strike until advocate Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi is found, as it called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to publish cases of abductions and enforced disappearances it has resolved.

Speaking during a protest on Wednesday, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the society would not relent until Abdi's whereabouts were established and he was released.

“It is not a good afternoon for us here until Abshir is free,” Kanjama said.

LSK Vice President Teresia Wavinya described the situation as a sad day for the legal fraternity, saying the society had exhausted several avenues in seeking answers over the lawyer's disappearance without receiving any correspondence.

She said Wednesday's demonstration marked the fourth protest over the matter, with members marching from the Supreme Court to Jogoo House before proceeding to the Milimani Law Courts, where the matter is scheduled for mention at 2:30 pm.

“As LSK, we have taken enough measures. This is now the fourth protest regarding this matter. We have not been able to get any correspondence,” Wavinya said.

The society also raised concerns over the rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances, citing statistics indicating that 22 cases had been reported so far, including four in October and 15 in June.

“The statistics available are alarming, 22 cases of abductions so far, 4 cases in October and 15 in June,” she said.

LSK warned that the continued occurrence of such violations risked normalising impunity, calling for thorough and independent investigations into reported cases.

The society further expressed concern over reports that two other people had allegedly been abducted alongside Abdi, saying their whereabouts also needed to be established.

It called on IPOA to make public the cases it had investigated and resolved, while demanding the return of all persons reported missing through abductions.

The society maintained that investigations into enforced disappearances must be pursued and those responsible held accountable.