LSK issues demands to Police IG over abduction of two brothers, activist in Kitengela

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has urged the Inspector General of Police to reveal the whereabouts of three youths allegedly abducted on August 19, 2024 in Kitengela.

In a heavily worded statement on Friday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo demanded that the IG produces activist Bob Micheni Njagi, as well as brothers Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton who she said were abducted unlawfully after the anti-government protests.

She condemned the actions and tasked the IG to conduct thorough investigations into the disappearances and hold those responsible accountable.

“The LSK demands the immediate production of Mr Bob Micheni Njagi, Mr Jamil Longton, and Mr Aslam Longton by the Inspector General of Police; thorough investigations on the ongoing abductions; and immediate action to deter any further abductions as we shall not sit back and allow the country to fall back to the dark days politically sanctioned killings and disappearances,” she stated.

As the society marked the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Ms. Odhiambo underscored the plight of more than 70 families whose kin are missing, as she appealed to President William Ruto to also look into the abductions to ensure the families get justice.

She implored the government to establish a national missing persons database to track and identify those who mysteriously disappeared.

“We call upon Dr William Samoei Ruto to investigate the abducted/disappeared persons that have gone missing since the wake of the protests, the total number being 73,” stated Ms. Odhiambo.

“Each victim represents the families and friends of the victims that continue to suffer mental anguish of not knowing whether the victims are dead or alive. In addition, the LSK calls on the State, which is mandated to observe, respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights as enshrined in Article 21 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 to establish a national missing persons database. Such database would be instrumental in tracking and identifying missing individuals, thereby aiding in the resolution of abduction cases more efficiently.”

The LSK President further accused the IG of violating the law by not honouring court summons and responding to the disappearances and release of the three people.

According to her, LSK had sued the IG over the abductions of the three and the court later ordered the police boss to appear and explain why the initial orders were not respected.

“On the 26th day of August 2024, the court issued Orders inter alia that pending the institution of charge, if any, the Court now directs the unconditional release of the abducted persons by the Inspector General of Police and further, that summons are issued to the Inspector General of Police to appear in Court at the next mention date to explain why the habeas corpus orders issued by the Court have not been complied with. Unfortunately, the Court Orders have not been complied with,” she noted.

“The LSK is astounded by the blatant disregard of Court Orders by the Inspector General of Police which contravenes the rule of law and Constitutional guarantees. The Police service is sworn to serve and protect the public and uphold the law which has already been pronounced by the Courts in the Orders issued on the 26th day of August 2024.”

Likewise, LSK faulted President Ruto for not living up to his promise of ending illegal arrests, abductions, unwarranted detentions, and killings.

“Dr. William Samoei Ruto has on several occasions assured Kenyans that abductions and forced disappearances will now be a thing of the past. A promise that is yet to be kept. The promise can be equated to a smokescreen as contrary reports have been persistent,” noted Ms. Odhiambo.

Bob is said to have been abducted at around 10:40pm by masked men on his way home from a matatu in the Kasina area, while Jamil and Aslam were abducted at around 2pm while leaving their house in Kitengela.

The three were all shoved in Subaru vehicles which drove off to an unknown destination, and are still missing over 10 days later.

The remarks by the LSK come a day after President Ruto said he was not aware of any Kenyan reportedly abducted by the country’s security agencies during or after the recent spate of anti-government protests across the nation.