This archive report was first published on 2 November 2021.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a 24-hour notice to top government officials to help find missing lawyer Hassan Nandwa, who went missing on October 28, 2021, under unclear circumstances.
LSK Secretary Mercy Wambua called on the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and DCI boss George Kinoti to intervene in the matter, stating that Nandwa's disappearance was related to his legal career.
Wambua said, 'From the above series of events, it is clear that Prof Nandwa was abducted in the course of his professional work. We, therefore, demand his immediate release together with his client.'
LSK's Nairobi branch also demanded the IG to intervene in the matter and produce the missing lawyer. Eric Theuri, the branch's chairman, said that if the IG failed to produce Nandwa in court, they would file a court application to demand that he be produced in court.
Theuri added, 'Advocates should not be forced to be selective in representing clients for fear of jeopardizing their safety. These are actions that constitute a direct violation of the constitutional requirement of access to justice and impede the pursuit of justice.'
On October 30, 2021, Muslim leaders in Nairobi called on the Government to help in finding the missing lawyer. Nairobi National Muslims Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) chairman Hassan Ole Naado said that the state should investigate the matter and ensure that the constitutional rights of its citizens, regardless of their religious background, are protected.
