The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, has strongly condemned the violent abduction of a Mombasa-based blogger, criticizing the country’s leadership in a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
Odhiambo said, “This heart-wrenching account of the ordeal suffered by Bruce John bespeaks everything that is wrong with the leadership of our country. There is no regard for the sanctity of human life, rights, and liberty.” She emphasized that the blogger’s experience was a reflection of a deeper crisis in Kenyan governance, one marked by a disregard for human rights, humanity, and conscience.
Calling the criminal actions and impunity of those in authority “indefensible,” she insisted that the responsible parties must be held accountable. LSK has demanded that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) urgently pursue and press charges against the individuals involved in the attack, while also calling on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to bring those responsible to justice.
In response to allegations linking him and his family to the attack, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir expressed his distress. “It hurts me that I am being accused, along with my family, of orchestrating such a heinous act,” he said at a press conference in Mombasa on Monday.
The 24-year-old blogger was reportedly abducted from his home in Bamburi on September 12 by a group of around 20 county officers. The group allegedly assaulted and sodomized him before leaving him at a dumpsite, forcing him to apologize for criticizing the Mombasa County government.
Governor Nassir distanced himself from the accusations, describing the act as “shocking.” He added, “Throughout my life, neither I nor any of my family members have crossed the line of meting out violence on anyone. Even on public platforms, my policy is never to mention anyone by name or use vulgar language.”
Nassir spoke moments after the release of his aide and County Executive Committee Member for Lands Mohamed Hussein, who was arrested on Sunday in connection with the blogger’s assault.
“My CEC was arrested and released for no other reason except for the fact that he has been with me through my political journey,” the governor said.
He claimed his mother’s house had been broken into twice since the incident, adding: “As much as I feel sorry for whatever happened to this young man, the spirit of my family will not only forgive and forget but let the almighty.”
“I really hope the police get to the bottom of this… I have passed through worse; abuse, attempts to harm me and my family… I have every intention of clearing our name, of ensuring those behind this malignment will equally be brought to book.”
