NAIROBI, Kenya- The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a statement condemning the National Police Service recent actions during the ongoing protests against the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
Over the past 72 hours, Kenya has seen a disturbing resurgence of illegal, extra-judicial tactics reminiscent of a dark era Kenyans had hoped to leave behind.
These tactics have been employed to quash public dissent against government misgovernance, particularly the controversial bill.
“Several vocal personalities and social influencers have reported that they have been threatened, physically trailed, had their communications arbitrarily monitored and privacy unlawfully infringed,” LSK President Faith Odhiambo said in a statement.
The protests, marked by an unprecedented unity among Kenya’s youth, have brought together professionals, students, digital content creators, and activists.
Their diverse skills and collective resolve have evidently unsettled the government, leading to a brutal crackdown by the police.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, the police have responded with excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and now, abductions.
One of the most alarming incidents occurred on Saturday, June 22, 2024, when popular social media influencer Billy Simani, known as Crazy Nairobian, was abducted and held incommunicado.
Throughout the day, misinformation circulated about his whereabouts and the reasons for his detention.
It was only through the concerted efforts of the LSK and various stakeholders that Billy was eventually released late at night.
However, this incident was not isolated. George Dianno was also abducted in Nakuru and later released in Eldoret, highlighting a pattern of unlawful detentions.
On Sunday, June 23, 2024, less than 12 hours after Billy’s release, reports emerged of further abductions.
Dr. Austin Omondi, a young doctor coordinating medical aid for injured protesters, was taken by unidentified individuals, reportedly police officers, and is being held incommunicado.
Similarly, Dr. Salim Ishmael and activist Shadrack Kiprono, known as Shad Khalif, were also abducted, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday morning, the LSK President decried these actions as a blatant abuse of power and a violation of human rights.
“You cannot silence a people by making them disappear,” she stated.
The LSK is calling on all Kenyans to remain vigilant and to provide any information that could help locate the abducted individuals.
The society demands that the police and investigative agencies handle these cases with urgency and transparency to reveal the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We demand that the police and all investigative agencies treat this matter delicately and with expediency to unearth the truth on what happened to Dr. Austin, Dr. Salim and Shad Khalif, the identity of those holding them and where they are being held,” she said.
“It is inconceivable that law enforcement officers are the perpetrators of illegalities and we will unmask and take actions against these rogue criminal elements putting our police in ruin.”
