‘Moi playbook is returning,’ LSK President Faith Odhiambo says amid increased abductions

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo now says the recent wave of abductions allegedly orchestrated by the State presents a worrying trend, noting that Kenyans must strive to fight to maintain their freedom of expression.

According to Odhiambo, the abductions of Kenyans seemingly opposed to government policies risk taking the country back to the late president Daniel arap Moi’s Nyayo era of terror.

"If we don't fight for what we believe in, we might find ourselves reneging and going back. The playbook for Moi will come back again," she said in an interview with Spice FM on Thursday morning.

"It should be a worrying trend, from the President to heads of security agencies, because it creates a question - if it's not government picking them up, then who is?"

A chilling rise in abductions across Kenya has left citizens asking a question many hoped would never resurface: Are we back to the Moi era?

As memories of forced disappearances, a trademark of the Moi regime's iron fisted rule, seem to loom in the background, Kenyans worry that recent abductions reflect a dangerous shift.

The case of the Kitengela three – activist Bob Njagi, as well as brothers Jamil and Aslam Longton, who were abducted and held hostage for 30 days before being dumped in Kiambu County - recently drew national attention.

After protests and intense public scrutiny, the High Court intervened with a firm stance against the then Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, emphasizing accountability from security agencies.

"I don’t think the Kitengela three would have been found if not for the hard stance the High Court took," the LSK boss stated.

In an era where Kenyans are pushing for transparency and accountability, many worry that abductions are a direct response to citizens' vocal criticisms of government excesses.

This comes as blogger Maverick Aoko is still missing over a week later, with even her family members saying they’re not aware of her whereabouts.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday also hit out at the Kenya Kwanza government over what he termed as State-sanctioned abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Kalonzo raised alarm over the recent dawn arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi, who has since been released, as well as the disappearance of prominent X personality Aoko who is yet to be found.