NAIROBI, Kenya — The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned the killing of advocate Tom Ouya Imbukwa, terming it a brutal assault that raises serious concerns over the safety of legal practitioners and the rule of law.
In a statement issued Thursday, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the society received news of the advocate’s death with “profound grief,” as pressure mounts for swift investigations.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family, friends, and all members of the legal fraternity who mourn this devastating loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Kanjama said.
He described the circumstances surrounding the death as disturbing, noting that the lawyer was “assaulted, tortured, and murdered by unknown persons.”
“The circumstances surrounding Tom’s death demand our unequivocal condemnation and immediate action,” he added.
Kanjama urged members of the public with information to cooperate with investigators, appealing for tips to be shared with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or the LSK, with assurances of anonymity and protection.
“We call upon the National Police Service and the DCI to conduct swift, effective, and credible investigations. If state actors were involved in this torture and murder, there must be no sanctuary for them,” he said.
The LSK also pledged legal support to the family of the deceased advocate and vowed to pursue accountability through all available legal channels.
“Justice for Tom Ouya Imbukwa is not negotiable. We will not stand by as our members are targeted, tortured, and killed,” Kanjama said, adding that the society would determine further action as more details emerge.
According to reports, Imbukwa succumbed to his injuries at Kenyatta National Hospital, where he had been admitted after being found dumped near Harambee SACCO.
The incident has renewed scrutiny over violent crime and the protection of legal professionals, particularly in cases where advocates may be exposed due to the nature of their work.
The killing also comes against a backdrop of heightened advocacy by the LSK on human rights violations. In September 2025, then LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned a viral incident in Narok involving the assault of a young woman allegedly forced into marriage.
“The constitution guarantees individual autonomy and freedom of choice, and equally frowns upon harmful cultural practices that undermine human rights,” Odhiambo said at the time, calling for arrests and accountability.
