Family Moves to Court Over Alleged Abduction of Nairobi Lawyer Abshir Abdi

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 — The family of Nairobi lawyer Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi has moved to the High Court seeking orders compelling security agencies to account for his whereabouts following his alleged abduction by armed men along Muchai Road, off Ngong Road.

Abdi’s brother, Zakaria Abshir, has filed an urgent habeas corpus application at the Milimani High Court, seeking to have the advocate produced before court within 24 hours or for authorities to disclose his whereabouts.

According to court documents, Abdi was last seen at around 4am on Sunday when armed men dressed in tactical military gear allegedly forced him to kneel before bundling him into a black Toyota Land Cruiser.

His white Toyota Premio, was later found abandoned along Muchai Road and towed to Kilimani Police Station.

In an affidavit filed in support of the application, Zakaria said witnesses had told investigating officers that they saw Abdi’s vehicle being pursued by two vehicles — a black Prado TX and a black double-cabin vehicle — before it veered into a ditch.

The witnesses reportedly saw armed men pull the occupant from the white vehicle and forcefully bundle him into the Land Cruiser.

“The members of the public further informed the investigating officer that they saw the armed individuals arrest the occupant of the white motor vehicle and forcefully drag him into the Land Cruiser TX,” Zakaria stated.

The family said Abdi’s mobile phones have remained switched off since the incident, with his whereabouts unknown.

A missing person report was subsequently filed at Kilimani Police Station under OB number 55/1/11/2026.

The application also raises concerns about a possible connection between the disappearance and an ongoing criminal case at the Makadara Law Courts, in which Abdi is a witness.

His brother alleges that the advocate had previously received threats from individuals linked to the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Counter Terrorism Bureau and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

According to the affidavit, the individuals allegedly warned Abdi to withdraw from the case or face abduction and death.

Court documents further indicate that Abdi was arrested on October 9, 2025, by officers allegedly drawn from intelligence and security agencies.

He was subsequently released unconditionally after the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to approve an application seeking custodial orders.

Zakaria claims his brother later lodged complaints with senior security officials over the alleged threats, but no action was taken.

In the latest court application, the family wants the National Intelligence Service, Directorate of Military Intelligence, National Police Service, DCI and Counter Terrorism Bureau compelled to produce Abdi before court or disclose any warrant or detention order authorising his arrest.

The family is also seeking summons against named security officials to explain their alleged involvement in the disappearance.

Additionally, it wants the court to order the preservation of CCTV footage, vehicle tracking data, mobile network records and other information covering Muchai Road and its surroundings at the time of the alleged abduction.

The application further seeks orders directing the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and Intelligence Service Complaints Board to conduct independent investigations and submit a report within 14 days.

Police have said investigations into the disappearance are ongoing.