Lawyer Willis Otieno has regretted that under President William Ruto’s administration, cases of abductions and enforced disappearances have continued to dominate public discourse despite promises to uphold constitutional rights.

The seasoned constitutional lawyer made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, where he claimed Kenya was witnessing a worrying trend of enforced disappearances targeting government critics.

“Ruto came to power promising to end abductions and enforced disappearances. Instead, under his rule, the shadows have only grown darker.

Those who question the government vanish, families are left searching for answers, and fear has become a tool of power,” Otieno wrote.

He added that intimidation could never provide a lasting foundation for governance.

“You cannot build a nation by intimidating its people. Every voice you try to silence only strengthens the resolve of those still standing.”

Otieno further argued that Kenya should never return to what he described as an era characterised by fear and repression.

“There is a dangerous attempt to drag Kenya back to the dark days when fear, intimidation and enforced disappearances were used to silence citizens. That era belongs in our past.”

According to the lawyer, the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 fundamentally changed the country’s governance by strengthening constitutional safeguards and protecting fundamental freedoms.

“The government must understand that Kenya changed with the 2010 Constitution. Kenyans are more informed, more vigilant and more determined than ever to defend their rights.”

He maintained that adherence to constitutionalism and the rule of law, rather than intimidation, was the only sustainable path to national stability.

“Every abduction only strengthens public resolve. You cannot terrorise a people who know their constitutional rights.

“The path to stability is not through fear and repression, but through respect for the Constitution, the rule of law and the fundamental freedoms of every Kenyan.”

Missing activist Davis Lichuma found alive

Otieno’s statement comes just hours after missing activist Davis Lichuma was found alive following days of uncertainty after disappearing during the June 25, 2026, Gen Z anniversary protests.

The Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCWG) announced on Monday that Lichuma had been found alive after what it described as a brutal ordeal.

According to the organisation, the activist was allegedly tortured, abandoned and left for dead before being dumped at Kenyatta National Hospital. He was later transferred to Nairobi Women’s Hospital for specialised treatment.

Human rights organisation VOCAL Africa also confirmed that Lichuma had been found and said he was receiving treatment, but remained in a serious condition.

The two organisations called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and demanded that those responsible be identified and held accountable.

The government has consistently maintained that it does not sanction unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances or torture.

Authorities have also stated that allegations against members of the security services should be investigated through the appropriate legal and independent oversight mechanisms.

By the time of publication, neither the Office of the President nor the National Police Service had publicly responded to Otieno’s latest statement.