NAIROBI, Kenya- Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has demanded a full investigation into the disappearance and reported release of Nairobi advocate Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi, after the lawyer was found alive in Sololo, Marsabit County.
Abshir, who disappeared on November 1, was located 11 days later after his family received a call from him, according to reports from the Law Society of Kenya and his relatives.
His brother, Zachary Abshir, said he recognised the lawyer’s voice during the call, in which he indicated that he had been dumped somewhere in Marsabit County.
Early reports had placed Abshir in Isiolo, but subsequent reports from his family, lawyers and the Law Society of Kenya placed him in Sololo, near Moyale in Marsabit County.
Kalonzo calls for accountability
In a statement on Thursday, Musyoka said the news that Abshir had been found alive brought relief but did not answer the central questions surrounding his disappearance.
“Relief is not enough,” Musyoka said, demanding to know who took the advocate, where he was held and who authorised the operation.
The Wiper leader called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ministry of Interior to establish the circumstances of Abshir’s disappearance and ensure that anyone found responsible is held to account.
Musyoka accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to stop abductions and enforced disappearances, saying the incidents had left families in anguish and undermined public confidence in security agencies.
His remarks represent a political position and do not establish who took Abshir or whether any State agency was involved.
Lawyer disappeared after Nairobi interception
Abshir went missing after his family reported that he had been intercepted by armed men along Muchai Road, off Ngong Road, in Nairobi.
The family later moved to court seeking orders compelling security agencies to disclose his whereabouts and account for the circumstances of his disappearance.
CCTV footage and other electronic evidence were presented before the High Court during the habeas corpus proceedings, while the Law Society of Kenya pressed for the preservation of evidence and an independent inquiry.
Police and DCI officers had previously denied holding Abshir, maintaining that they could not produce a person who was not in their custody.
The High Court proceedings are expected to continue as the family, lawyers and rights groups seek a full account of the 11 days he was missing.
Mandera attack raised in statement
Musyoka also linked his criticism of the country’s security priorities to Tuesday’s deadly ambush in Mandera County, where eight people, including two Kenya Police Reservists, were killed.
The victims were travelling to a road construction site along the Mandera–Arabia–Lafey Road when gunmen attacked their vehicle near the Kenya–Somalia border.
Authorities suspect Al-Shabaab militants were behind the attack, although investigations into the incident are continuing.
Musyoka questioned why security agencies facing the threat of terrorism were also being accused by rights groups and lawyers of failing to protect citizens from unlawful abductions.
He said security institutions must demonstrate that they are capable of protecting life, liberty and dignity, while acting decisively against criminal threats.
A political pledge
The Wiper leader said that in 270 days, Kenya would return to constitutionalism and the normalisation of abductions and enforced disappearances would end.
He framed the promise as part of a broader opposition agenda centred on accountability, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights.
“Life, liberty and dignity will no longer be favours from those in power,” Musyoka said. “They will be the birthright of every Kenyan.”
The circumstances of Abshir’s disappearance and release remain subject to legal and investigative processes.
