Several individuals who were abducted in recent days have been released, according to a statement from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
LSK President Faith Odhiambo named Ernest Nyerere, Nadia Nthia, and Shadrack Kiprono, known as Shad, among those who have been freed from captivity.
The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) strongly denounced the recent series of abductions involving at least 12 individuals over the past five days. These abductions reportedly targeted citizens suspected of participating in protests against the Finance Bill, 2024.
According to PRWG-K, these abductions represent severe violations of human rights and contravene Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which prohibits arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances.
“Enforced disappearance, as defined by Article 29, involves the arrest, detention, or abduction of an individual by state agents or those acting with state authorization, followed by a refusal to disclose the person’s fate or whereabouts,” PRWG-K stated.
The group emphasized that such actions undermine the rule of law and create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the populace.
“We urge the government to immediately halt these unlawful practices and release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained,” PRWG-K asserted in a public statement.
PRWG-K also called upon President William Ruto to honor his oath of office and uphold constitutional protections for all citizens.
The abductions have sparked widespread condemnation and concern among civil society organizations and the general public in Kenya. Critics argue that such actions by state agents erode democratic principles and violate fundamental human rights.
LSK has been vocal in its condemnation of these abductions, highlighting specific cases like that of Shad Khalif, who was reportedly abducted from a shopping center in South B, Nairobi. Khalif, known for his activism against the Finance Bill, 2024, has become a symbol of the broader concerns over arbitrary detentions.
