Orengo condemns alleged abduction of activist Davis Lichuma, demands justice for missing protesters

Siaya Governor James Orengo has condemned the alleged abduction and torture of Mathare-based human rights activist Davis Lichuma, describing the incident as a grave violation of constitutional rights.

Orengo has also called for justice for those still missing following the June 25 Gen Z memorial demonstrations.

In a statement issued after visiting Lichuma at Nairobi Women's Hospital, Orengo said the activist was in a devastating condition. Rights groups have said Lichuma disappeared after taking part in the protests before later being found alive and hospitalised. 

"What I saw is devastating. Davis is reeling in pain on his sickbed, unable to speak," Orengo said after the hospital visit.

He went on to accuse the government of using extreme measures to silence dissent.

"This government has found a horrific new way of dealing with dissenting voices, completely ignoring the stoppage of abductions and extrajudicial killings that Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga demanded in his 10-point agenda," Orengo stated.

The governor also expressed solidarity with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has filed a missing persons application seeking the whereabouts of two Mathare residents, Abdulaziz Zizou and Max, who remain unaccounted for following the demonstrations.

"I stand firmly with Comrade Babu Owino, who has filed a missing persons application for Abdulaziz Zizou and Max from Mathare, who are still missing. Our resolve to support these families is unshakeable. We will fight for them in and outside the courts until justice is served," Orengo said.

His remarks came a day after he separately described what had happened to Lichuma as "a criminal act of the state", arguing that continued reports of abductions, enforced disappearances and torture undermine the gains made under Kenya's 2010 Constitution.

"What is happening to Lichuma is a criminal act of the state," Orengo said.

"When we had the Constitution 2010 proclaimed, we thought these things had come to an end, but they continue." 

The case has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights defenders, politicians and legal practitioners. Former Chief Justice David Maraga, who also visited Lichuma in hospital, said the activist bore visible signs of torture.

"He's not able to talk. You don't need to be told what he's gone through. His frequent tremors when asleep, most likely post-traumatic stress disorder, tell it all. Davis has been tortured," Maraga said, calling for those responsible to be held accountable. 

According to rights organisations, Lichuma was initially admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital before being transferred to Nairobi Women's Hospital for specialised treatment after being found with serious injuries. 

The alleged abduction has intensified calls for investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights into reported cases of enforced disappearances and assaults linked to the June 25 demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the government has maintained that security officers were deployed to preserve public order during the protests.

National Communications Centre Director General Charles Owino said the National Police Service remains committed to operating within the law and that allegations of police misconduct should be investigated through the appropriate legal mechanisms.