CCTV captures abduction of Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi along Muchai Road

Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi, of Abshir & Njagi Advocates, was reportedly seized by armed men in an incident his colleagues suspect could be linked to a contentious case before the Makadara Law Courts.

Police in Nairobi are investigating the alleged abduction of an advocate captured on CCTV along Muchai Road, off Ngong Road.

Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi, of Abshir & Njagi Advocates, was reportedly seized by armed men in an incident his colleagues suspect could be linked to a contentious case before the Makadara Law Courts.

His vehicle was later recovered along the same road, but his whereabouts remain unknown.

CCTV footage shows that at 4:41a.m. on November 1, a white saloon car was being pursued along the dark stretch of Muchai Road by a black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

At a T-junction, another vehicle blocked its path. With no way out, the driver reversed, veered off the road and plunged into a drainage channel.

Moments later, the occupants jumped out and scattered, running in different directions.

At 4:43a.m., the footage captures a desperate attempt by Abdi to escape. He runs towards a gate and attempts to climb over it, but armed men close in.

Another vehicle pulls up, and a man emerges, strikes him before walking away.

Moments later, more men wearing balaclavas descend on Abdi, blindfold him, restrain him and bundle him into a waiting black Prado.

At least eight men, four of whom appear to be armed, are seen fleeing in the Prado and a double-cabin pickup.

Advocate Alex Kubo said Abdi's abduction could be connected to a case he was handling at the Makadara Law Courts, in which he had reportedly raised concerns about officers from different security agencies.

“The sad thing is that his abduction is related to an ongoing case in Makadara Law Courts, where he specifically complained against known NIS officers, known ATPU officers and known officers from the Directorate of Military Intelligence,” Kubo said.

The incident has sparked concern among members of the legal fraternity.

Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Khalid Hussein condemned the attack, saying advocates should be allowed to represent their clients without intimidation or violence.

“Advocates are the agents of the court. They in themselves are only representing suspects. You cannot again come and attack an advocate who is merely doing his job of representing his client in court,” Hussein said.

A witness who spoke about the incident said the white vehicle appeared to have been pursued before it plunged into the drainage channel.

With Abdi still missing, a habeas corpus application has been filed at the Milimani Law Courts, seeking orders compelling those holding him to produce him before the court, dead or alive.