Human rights organisations have intensified calls for the immediate release of activist Davis Lichuma, whose whereabouts remain unknown days after he allegedly disappeared following his arrest during the June 25 demonstrations in Nairobi.
Lichuma, a prominent human rights defender, was reportedly arrested outside Parliament while taking part in peaceful processions marking the second anniversary of the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
According to rights groups, he was initially taken to Nairobi’s Central Police Station but was never entered into the station’s occurrence records and has not been seen since.
The renewed calls come as the online #FreeLichuma campaign continues to gather momentum, with civil society organisations demanding that security agencies disclose his whereabouts.
Lichuma was among several activists who were arrested around Parliament Buildings in Nairobi during the June 25, 2026 Justice For Our Fallen procession, held to commemorate victims of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
While other activists who were detained alongside him were later found, rights groups say Lichuma remains unaccounted for, raising fears of an enforced disappearance.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) also confirmed that Fredrick Ojiro, Collins Otieno, Muteti Mulinge, Elisha Alam, Michael Ngigi, and Michael Lubanga had been found dumped after their arrests, but maintained that Davis Lichuma’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Amnesty International Kenya called for independent investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), while maintaining that Lichuma’s whereabouts remain unknown.
“Davis Lichuma remains missing. The National Police Service must immediately disclose his whereabouts and ensure his safe release. Every passing moment without answers heightens concern for his safety,” Amnesty Kenya said.
The Mukuru Community Justice Centre described Lichuma as a long-time defender of human rights, saying his activism should not result in enforced disappearance.
“Davies Lichuma has stood on the frontlines defending the rights of doctors, interns and ordinary Kenyans. His courage in fighting for justice deserves recognition, not enforced disappearance. We demand that the DCI disclose his whereabouts and ensure his safety,” the organisation said.
Haki kwa Wote Rights Group echoed similar concerns, calling for his unconditional release.
“Davies Lichuma, a well-known human rights defender, was forcibly disappeared during Thursday’s protests and his whereabouts remain unknown. We demand his immediate and unconditional release. The state must reveal where he is and guarantee his safety,” the group said.
Human rights organisations have also petitioned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to disclose Lichuma’s location, while his family, including his mother, has publicly appealed for his release and condemned what they describe as a growing trend of enforced disappearances.
The Ministry of Interior has stated that 355 people were arrested during the June 25 demonstrations. However, there has been no official response from the National Police Service or other security agencies regarding the specific allegations surrounding Lichuma’s disappearance or claims by several activists that they were tortured while in custody.
