Advocate linked to controversial protest program missing

LSK President Faith Odhiambo. [LSK, X]

The Law Society of Kenya has raised concerns over the whereabouts of Advocate Ndiangui Kinyagia, the man who published the June 25 protest program on his X account.

According to the lawyers' organisation, Kinyagia made his last communication to his family on Saturday, June 21, at around 1 pm.

"Since then, he has disappeared without a trace...his current whereabouts remain completely unknown," said LSK in a statement.

"This incident bears the hallmarks of an enforced disappearance and a possible unlawful arrest and detention," it added.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo, and the body's Public Interest Litigation Directorate confirmed meeting with the missing advocate's family who reported that his house was broken into, on Saturday, by people believed to be security agents.

The daytime operation reportedly led to the seizure of electronic devices and travel documents.

"According to eyewitnesses, Mr Kinyagia's residence was surrounded by between six and ten Subaru vehicles," narrated LSK, adding, "A report was filed at Kinoo Police Station, and an inventory of seized items including laptops, passports, and electronic devices was submitted."

On Thursday, June 19, an X account associated with Kinyagia published a program for the upcoming Gen Z commemoration protests scheduled for Wednesday, June 25.

The listed events would take only six hours and included a controversial proposal for a march to State House and swearing-in of a transitional council, which has been interpreted as a call for the overthrow of the government.

While the reason for the raid at Kinyagia's residence remains unclear, LSK has termed it as a violation of the advocate's rights, adding that it goes against the principles of the rule of law.

"We are demanding immediate and transparent action from the authorities. We call on any individual with relevant information, no matter how small, to come forward.