The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has raised an alarm over what it describes as a growing wave of abductions and harassment targeting members of the legal profession. The Society said the trend amounted to persecution and called for urgent investigations.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its President, Faith Odhiambo, LSK noted that the country had witnessed hundreds of abductions in the past two years, many of which remain unresolved. It pointed out that while some victims returned home, others were found dead, and several remain missing.
The Society warned that the lack of accountability in such cases had left families without answers and emboldened those behind the crimes.
LSK stressed that the incidents amounted to violations of non-derogable rights under Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to security and freedom from arbitrary detention.
''We strongly condemn all acts of reprisal and victimisation against Advocates of the High Court of Kenya for the faithful discharge of their duties. The disappearance of advocates, which has historically ended in their being found dead, should be treated as a matter of grave national concern,'' LSK stated.
Despite the dangers, LSK said it had continued to support victims and their families, including filing petitions for habeas corpus, tracing missing persons, and pursuing reparations. It praised advocates who had volunteered their time and expertise to defend the rule of law.
The Society, however, noted that the cost had been high, with many advocates facing threats to their lives and liberty in the course of their duties. It said the persecution of lawyers was unjustifiable and undermined the justice system.
In its statement, LSK recalled several cases in which lawyers had been abducted and killed, including those of Oscar Kingara and Willie Kimani.
The Society also pointed out the unresolved case of Advocate Njau Kiyai, who was abducted in February 2021. It said the case had gone cold, leaving the family without answers and reflecting a wider failure to deliver justice.
To address the matter, LSK announced it was compiling a database of all unresolved cases of persecution of advocates, particularly abductions and kidnappings. The information will be submitted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further action.
The Society demanded that pending and cold cases be reopened and investigated, while those already in court be fast-tracked to a conclusion.
LSK also appealed to families, colleagues, and clients of advocates who have been targeted to support its efforts.
