Police Confirm Probe into Enforced Disappearance Claims as Davis Lichuma Reported Missing

The National Police Service has formally acknowledged that a missing person report has been filed for Davis Lichuma, a social justice activist who was last seen during protests in Nairobi on June 25, 2026. The report was received at Central Police Station, giving the case official standing after it had previously been circulating primarily through civil society channels and social media networks.

In a statement released by the NPS, officers pledged to handle the investigation with thoroughness, professionalism, impartiality, and urgency, operating strictly within the bounds of the law. The assurance comes at a time of heightened public concern over what happened to demonstrators in the aftermath of the capital's latest round of protests.

The police went further than just acknowledging the Lichuma report. They confirmed they are also examining a wider set of allegations — among them, claims of enforced disappearances and acts of torture — that have been gaining traction across online platforms and in media reports since the June 25 demonstrations. Human rights organizations have been raising the alarm over these accounts, and the police statement represents the first formal indication that authorities are taking them seriously.

Through the same statement, the NPS put out a public call for information. Any Kenyan who has knowledge of enforced disappearances, torture incidents, or other violations of human rights connected to these events is being asked to present themselves at the nearest police station and make a formal report. Officials described this as a critical part of ensuring that all credible leads are followed up on.

Police leadership also pointed to Kenya's Constitution as the guiding framework for their response, emphasizing that accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights would define how these investigations are conducted. For many Kenyans, that language will carry weight only if it is backed by visible action — public trust in how security agencies handle protest-related cases has been fragile in recent years.

Lichuma's case has attracted particular scrutiny because of his background as an activist working on social justice issues. The June 25 protests in Nairobi were marked by significant tension, with reports of clashes between security personnel and demonstrators surfacing in the days after. His disappearance has since become something of a rallying point for civic groups demanding that the government account for what happened to those who went missing during the unrest.

With investigations now formally underway, the coming days will be telling. Families of the missing, lawyers, and rights defenders across the country will be monitoring whether the commitments made in the police statement are reflected in the pace and transparency of the process on the ground.