Kenya: Critics of Police Disappear in Abduction

In response to the abduction of a Kenyan human rights lawyer and two individuals on June 23, Freedom House issued the following statement:
 
“Freedom House is concerned by the involvement of Administration Police in the disappearance of Willie Kimani, a lawyer working for International Justice Mission (IJM), together with IJM client Josephat Mwendwa and their taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri,” said Vukasin Petrovic, director for Africa programs. “We urge the Kenyan government to investigate their abduction with the greatest urgency, especially any role taken by AP officers.”
 
Background:
Josephat Mwenda, a victim of police shooting in April 2015, filed a complaint against the Administration Police officer responsible for the shooting, only to be falsely charged with traffic offenses and illegal possession of drugs. Josephat challenged the trumped up charges with legal support from IJM.
 
On June 23, 2016, IJM lawyer Willie Kimani and Mwenda attended a hearing at the Mavoko Law Courts. The two along with their taxi driver Joseph Muiruri were abducted upon departure from the court and unlawfully detained by Administration Police officers in Syokimau. They were subsequently transferred to an unknown location and remain missing. 

Kenya is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2016, Partly Free in Freedom of the Press 2016, and Free in Freedom on the Net 2015.