NAIROBI, Kenya- The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) will on Friday lead a peaceful protest in Nairobi to demand the safe return of Advocate Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi, whose disappearance has sparked concern within the legal fraternity and among human rights defenders.
LSK President Charles Kanjama said the demonstration will begin at 9am outside the Milimani Law Courts, proceed through Kenyatta Avenue and end at Vigilance House, the headquarters of the National Police Service.
“An attack on Advocate Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi is an attack on all of us,” Kanjama said, calling on advocates, human rights defenders and members of the public to join the march in solidarity with the missing lawyer and his family.
The protest comes days after the High Court issued urgent habeas corpus orders directing security agencies named in the case to produce Abdi before the court, alive or dead, or explain his whereabouts.
Advocate reportedly seized on Muchai Road
Abdi, an Advocate of the High Court practising at Abshir & Njagi Advocates in Kilimani, was reported missing after an alleged abduction along Muchai Road, off Ngong Road, on November 1.
His family says he was pursued by armed men in vehicles before he was forced into another vehicle.
His Toyota Premio, registration number KDL 356C, was later found abandoned along Muchai Road, while his phones were reportedly switched off.
Reports and CCTV footage circulating online show men armed with rifles pursuing the advocate before taking him away.
However, the identities of those involved and the motive behind the incident have not been established.
Abdi’s family has linked the disappearance to concerns he had allegedly raised over a criminal case before the Makadara Law Courts.
The lawyer was involved in the matter as a complainant and witness, and had reportedly raised concerns about intimidation and interference involving witnesses.
No official finding has linked the disappearance to the case.
High Court orders State agencies to account
On November 4, Justice Alexander Muteti certified the habeas corpus application as urgent and directed designated State and security agencies to produce Abdi before the court at 2.30pm.
The court also required the respondents to present any warrants authorising his arrest or detention and show cause why he should not be released immediately if he was in custody.
The Law Society of Kenya has joined the proceedings as an interested party, saying it is pursuing legal and constitutional avenues to establish Abdi’s whereabouts and secure his return.
During the court proceedings, counsel representing Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja maintained that the advocate was not in police custody.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has, according to LSK, constituted a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and identify those responsible.
The case has also taken a new turn after relatives reported that two men believed to have been with Abdi at the time of the incident could also be missing.
Demand for accountability
LSK says the planned protest is meant to press for immediate answers and accountability from the relevant authorities.
The Society has warned that attacks, threats, unlawful arrests and disappearances targeting advocates undermine the administration of justice and the independence of the legal profession.
Amnesty International Kenya has also called for Abdi’s immediate and unconditional release, an independent investigation and public clarification on whether any State officers or security equipment were involved.
The rights organisation said the incident adds to wider concerns over enforced disappearances, noting that the Missing Voices Coalition has documented 22 cases in 2026.
Friday’s march is expected to bring together lawyers, civil society groups and members of the public under calls for Abdi’s safe return, a credible investigation and protection for advocates carrying out their professional duties.
