NAIROBI, Kenya – The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned what it describes as a suspected case of enforced disappearance, following the mysterious abduction of Ndiangui Kinyagia, an activist who was allegedly seized by unidentified men from his home in Kinoo, Kiambu County on Sunday.
In a statement on Monday, LSK said Kinyagia was forcefully taken from his home by individuals believed to be security agents using unmarked Subaru vehicles, according to witness accounts from neighbors.
“Mr Kinyagia’s residence was surrounded by between six and ten Subaru vehicles. His home was forcibly broken into, and the last communication he had was with his mother around 1:00 PM that day,” the statement read.
Since then, there has been no trace of Kinyagia, and his family has expressed growing concern over his safety and whereabouts.
Electronics and Documents Taken
According to the LSK, the abductors also took laptops and identification documents from Kinyagia’s home, raising further suspicion that the raid may have been orchestrated by elements of the state.
A relative confirmed that on Tuesday morning that the family had not received any information on his location or condition.
Social Media Links
Kinyagia’s name has circulated on social media in connection with an anonymous X account that posted a viral mock invitation to this Wednesday’s nationwide demonstration.
The image, which mimicked an official government invitation, outlined a protest march to State House Nairobi and the swearing-in of a so-called “transition council.”
While this link remains unverified, LSK noted the timing and context may not be coincidental. Kinyagia’s family has not confirmed whether the account belongs to him.
LSK: “Grave Violation of Constitutional Rights”
LSK said the incident bears the hallmarks of an enforced disappearance and constitutes a grave violation of constitutional rights.
“This is a direct attack on the rule of law in Kenya,” the society said. “We are demanding immediate and transparent action from the authorities.”
LSK has now called on Inspector General Douglas Kanja, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch an urgent investigation and publicly account for Kinyagia’s whereabouts.
Background: Rising Tensions Ahead of Protest Anniversary
The disappearance comes ahead of planned protests on Wednesday, June 25, to commemorate the first anniversary of the deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations that rocked Kenya in 2024.
Several civil society groups and victims’ families are expected to participate.
LSK has cautioned that such disappearances risk reviving a culture of fear and intimidation, particularly against critics of the state.
