Human rights activist Davis Lichuma, a member of the Mathare Social Justice Centre, was reportedly abducted on June 25, 2026, during demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests outside Parliament in Nairobi.
Lichuma was among six activists who were allegedly arrested by plainclothes officers during the protests. The others were identified as Elisha Alam, Collins Ochieng, Frederick Odhiambo Ojiro, Muteti Mulinge, and Michael Ngige (Kenyatta). Human rights organizations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Vocal Africa, and Haki Africa, raised concern after the six could not be traced in any police station despite widespread searches.
On June 27, five of the six activists were found alive after allegedly being tortured and dumped in different parts of Nairobi, including Lang'ata Road, Hurlingham, and areas around Talanta Stadium. They were rushed to hospital with injuries and later alleged they had been blindfolded, beaten, interrogated, and held in undisclosed locations before being abandoned.
Davis Lichuma, however, remained missing, prompting growing concern among civil society groups. On June 28, activists issued the government and the National Police Service (NPS) a 24-hour ultimatum demanding that he be produced alive or face nationwide demonstrations.
The NPS confirmed that a missing person report had been filed at Nairobi's Central Police Station and stated that investigations into his disappearance were underway.
Later that evening, on June 28, Lichuma was found alive after being dumped outside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi. Witnesses reported that he appeared severely tortured, was disoriented, unable to speak, and in critical condition. Human rights groups said he was later transferred to another medical facility for specialized treatment due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Civil society organizations have condemned the alleged abductions and torture, demanding an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible. They maintain that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and treatment of the activists raise serious concerns about enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Kenya. Investigations by the National Police Service and calls for action by human rights organizations remain ongoing.
Lichuma was among six activists who were allegedly arrested by plainclothes officers during the protests. The others were identified as Elisha Alam, Collins Ochieng, Frederick Odhiambo Ojiro, Muteti Mulinge, and Michael Ngige (Kenyatta). Human rights organizations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Vocal Africa, and Haki Africa, raised concern after the six could not be traced in any police station despite widespread searches.
On June 27, five of the six activists were found alive after allegedly being tortured and dumped in different parts of Nairobi, including Lang'ata Road, Hurlingham, and areas around Talanta Stadium. They were rushed to hospital with injuries and later alleged they had been blindfolded, beaten, interrogated, and held in undisclosed locations before being abandoned.
Davis Lichuma, however, remained missing, prompting growing concern among civil society groups. On June 28, activists issued the government and the National Police Service (NPS) a 24-hour ultimatum demanding that he be produced alive or face nationwide demonstrations.
The NPS confirmed that a missing person report had been filed at Nairobi's Central Police Station and stated that investigations into his disappearance were underway.
Later that evening, on June 28, Lichuma was found alive after being dumped outside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi. Witnesses reported that he appeared severely tortured, was disoriented, unable to speak, and in critical condition. Human rights groups said he was later transferred to another medical facility for specialized treatment due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Civil society organizations have condemned the alleged abductions and torture, demanding an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible. They maintain that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and treatment of the activists raise serious concerns about enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Kenya. Investigations by the National Police Service and calls for action by human rights organizations remain ongoing.
