The President of the Law Society of Kenya Faith Odhiambo on Monday, December 30, 2024, issued a statement regarding the protests staged in different parts of the country calling for an end to abductions.
In her statement supported by Medics 4 Kenya and Police Reforms Working Group, Odhiambo noted that LSK together with other relevant bodies were keenly following the protests and documenting the proceedings.
“Our organisations have deployed monitors across several counties where solidarity marches have been announced. We are documenting any excessive use of police force and violence, attacks on journalists and health workers and the unlawful use of non-uniformed officer counter-protesters,” the statement read in part.
She added that LSK will push to hold any police officer culpable for using human rights abuses.
“We will hold specific individual police officers (in or out of uniform), their commanders and the Government accountable for human rights abuses that violate our laws,” she added.
The LSK boss further called on those picketing to remain peaceful and avoid destroying property during their march.
“In line with Article 37, we call on those exercising their constitutional rights to remain peaceful, avoid violence and the destruction of public or private property,” the lengthy statement added.
At the same time, the Law Society of Kenya implored the state to uphold the rights of demonstrators, health workers and journalists who are covering the said protests.
“With several public announcements that citizens plan mass protests in solidarity with those currently being unlawfully held, we remind the State of their obligation to protect the safety of protesters and the public as Kenyans express their views under Article 33 and Article 37.”
Lawyers dispatched
With several reports claiming that some protesters had been apprehended, Odhiambo announced that a team of lawyers had been dispatched to handle some of the cases.
Protests were held on Monday, December 30, 2024, in several parts of the country. In Nairobi, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah led a group of demonstrators to call for the end of abductions in the country.
Omtatah chained himself together with other demonstrators along the Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi Central Business District while others held placards written ‘End Abductions.’
LSK, Medics 4 Kenya and Police Reforms Working Group also in their statement demanded the immediate release of Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplang’at, Steve Kavingo and all others who were reported abducted.
The President’s undertaking that all those that have been abducted will be released is a confirmation that the @NPSOfficial_KE has in its custody all the individuals reported as abducted. The ignorance feigned by the @IG_NPS must, therefore, come to an end. We call for the… pic.twitter.com/Qr1S4fh1Mv
— Faith Odhiambo (@FaithOdhiambo8) December 30, 2024
