The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, has addressed the ongoing delays in resolving abduction cases that have been reported over the past few months.
Speaking at the People’s Dialogue Festival at Uhuru Park on Wednesday, March 5, Odhiambo explained that although the Judiciary is keen on expediting these cases, the prolonged investigations by the police are causing significant delays.
“Yes, there has been a delay in many of these cases. If you have followed some of them closely, you will notice that the court is trying to strike a balance between addressing the cases quickly while also ensuring that the other party has enough time to present their side of the story,” she said.
She further explained that when the Inspector General (IG) of Police informs the court that investigations are still ongoing—citing the need for more time to collect evidence or statements—it complicates matters.
“This puts the court in a difficult position because the court cannot dictate to the National Police Service how quickly they should conduct their investigations,” Odhiambo added.
Despite these challenges, Odhiambo acknowledged the Judiciary’s efforts to apply pressure on high-ranking officials to attend court hearings, which has helped advance some cases.
This pressure has led to the release of several individuals who had been abducted.
However, Odhiambo expressed concern that the continued delays in resolving these cases could lead to even more abductions and deaths.
“While some cases are still pending, the efforts to ensure high-profile individuals appear in court have been helpful, resulting in the release of some abductees.
Unfortunately, there are also tragic cases, such as the recent incident where three abducted individuals were found dead.
This is why we emphasize the urgency of these cases—they directly impact people’s lives,” she explained.
The issue of abductions has intensified in Kenya following the Gen Z protests in June 2024, with many fearing that the rise in these cases signals a return to the darker times of forced disappearances.
According to data from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), there have been 82 recorded abduction cases in the past nine months.
Despite the increasing reports of forced disappearances, security agencies have repeatedly denied involvement in these incidents, with the police claiming that many of the cases were arrests and not abductions.
The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has consistently denied any police involvement in these abductions.
President William Ruto has also weighed in on the issue, assuring Kenyans that his administration is committed to putting an end to abductions.
“We are determined to stop abductions so that young people in Kenya can live in peace. However, they must show discipline and respect so that together we can build a better Kenya,” Ruto stated.
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