Twist as two friends of lawyer Abshir Abdi also reported missing

The family of one of the missing men, Ayub Mohamud Maalim, filed a missing person report at Kilimani Police Station, saying he was last seen with the lawyer.

According to the family, Ayub, who resides in Mombasa, was last seen in the company of the missing lawyer, Abshir.

Abdi Hassan, a relative, said the family had been unable to trace Ayub since the beginning of the month and had now turned to security agencies for assistance.

“Mwisho wake ambaye yeye hatukuweza kumpata ilikuwa tarehe moja. Na leo na jana ndio tulitembea kidogo, lakini leo tuliamua kuja hapa police station ndio tuweze kusaidiwa na security agencies waweze kumtafuta zaidi,” he said.

Ayub's sister, Fatuma Maalim, said the family was worried about his whereabouts, noting that his phone had been switched off.

“We are really worried. He is a son, a brother, a father, a husband. Yaani we are not aware of his whereabouts. His phone is off,” she said.

Ayub is believed to be among the two men captured on CCTV footage fleeing from armed men who were trailing the lawyer's vehicle before it veered off the road and plunged into a drainage channel.

Abshir, who was running in the opposite direction, was reportedly abducted after attempting to climb over a gate as he fled from his pursuers.

Executive Director of Vocal Africa Hussein Khalid said there were fears that Ayub may also have been abducted alongside the lawyer.

“Suspicion is that he may have been kidnapped together with advocate Abshir. And this is a call to security agencies to ensure the return of Ayub Mahmoud Maalim. The family has searched everywhere. They have gone to police stations,” Khalid said.

Earlier, during the hearing of a habeas corpus application at the High Court, investigating officer Dennis Mwenda told the court that he was yet to establish the identities of the two individuals who were reportedly in the car with the missing lawyer at the time of his abduction.

“The white motor vehicle had three occupants. Those are the people seen running, being chased by some two individuals. I have not yet ascertained their identity,” Mwenda told the court.

Lawyers representing Abshir are still urging the court to compel security agencies to produce the missing lawyer.

They argue that submissions made by security officers, including allegations linking him to an abduction and extortion syndicate, suggest that he may have been targeted by individuals within security circles.

Abshir's lawyer, Eric Theuri, told the court that the submissions had reinforced concerns over his client's disappearance.

“They have, in fact, introduced material before you to confirm and ascertain the fears that we have had, that Abshir has been subjected to extra-constitutional measures,” Theuri said.

However, lawyer Paul Nyamodi, representing the Inspector General of Police, maintained that Abshir was not in police custody.

“The subject of these proceedings is not in police custody,” Nyamodi told the court.

Justice Alexander Muteti is expected to deliver a ruling on the matter next Tuesday.