By the 254.ke Newsroom
Nairobi advocate Abshir Abdi is back in Nairobi after an alleged abduction that kept him missing for about 11 days and pushed the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to call a nationwide court boycott. He was reported found in Sololo, Marsabit County, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, and appeared before the High Court at Milimani on Friday, November 13, where his family asked that the habeas corpus case continue.
Below is a sourced timeline of the Abshir Abdi case, what has been confirmed, what is still disputed, and what happens next.
What happened to Abshir Abdi?
Abdi, of the firm Abshir & Njagi Advocates, was seized along Muchai Road, off Ngong Road in Kilimani, Nairobi, at the start of November, according to Kenyans.co.ke, Pulse Kenya and the LSK. Most reports place the incident in the early hours of Sunday, November 1. An LSK statement carried by Citizen Digital gave the date as the morning of November 2.
CCTV footage described by Kenyans.co.ke and Pulse Kenya showed a group of men overpowering him and forcing him into another vehicle. Pulse reported he was driving home from a wedding at the time.
The LSK statement, reported by Citizen Digital, said he was pursued by two vehicles, a Toyota Prado TX and a double-cab pickup. It said some occupants were armed and appeared to be wearing police uniforms and bulletproof vests. Those details have not been independently confirmed.
Timeline: Abshir Abdi case at a glance
| Date (2026) | Event | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 (LSK says Nov 2) | Abdi seized on Muchai Road, Kilimani, Nairobi | Kenyans.co.ke, Pulse Kenya, Mwakilishi, LSK via Citizen Digital |
| Nov 3 | LSK condemns the abduction and asks IPOA to investigate whether state agents were involved | Citizen Digital |
| Nov 4 | High Court Justice Alexander Muteti orders authorities to produce Abdi, alive or dead | Kenyans.co.ke |
| Nov 6 | Lawyers march from Milimani Law Courts towards Vigilance House | Kenyans.co.ke |
| Nov 10–11 | LSK directs advocates to seek adjournments in courts nationwide until Abdi is produced | Pulse Kenya (LSK post), Mwakilishi |
| Nov 12 | Abdi reported found alive in Sololo, Marsabit County | Pulse Kenya, Citizen Digital |
| Nov 13 | Abdi appears at Milimani High Court; family opposes closing the habeas corpus case | Citizen Digital, Pulse Kenya |
Why did the LSK call a court boycott?
On November 10, the LSK said in a post quoted by Pulse Kenya that the legal profession had resolved to “down tools” and seek adjournments in courts across the country until Abdi was produced. Mwakilishi reported the directive as a nationwide boycott of court sessions.
LSK President Charles Kanjama led several street protests in Nairobi during the 11 days. Kenyans.co.ke reported a march on November 6 from Milimani Law Courts towards Vigilance House, the police headquarters. Mwakilishi described a further march on November 11 to Vigilance House and the Inspector-General’s office at Jogoo House.
As of Friday evening, no report reviewed by 254.ke had confirmed whether the LSK has formally lifted the adjournment directive now that Abdi has been found.
Who does the LSK say was behind it?
The LSK has not named individuals. In its November 3 statement, the society said the disappearance may be linked to Abdi’s role as a complainant and key witness in a criminal case at the Makadara Law Courts, Republic v Ahmed Ali Mohamed. It asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to establish whether serving officers or other state agents took part.
Pulse Kenya quoted Kanjama as criticising “abduction squads” and naming units within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Police have denied involvement. Mwakilishi reported that DCI Director Mohamed Amin denied police were involved, and Pulse Kenya reported that the DCI and the Inspector-General had formed a special team to investigate. Kenyans.co.ke reported that the DCI had set up a committee to look into the case.
Where was Abshir Abdi found, and how is he?
Pulse Kenya and Citizen Digital both reported that Abdi was found in Marsabit County, with Pulse naming Sololo. On November 12, Kanjama said the reports were still being verified, according to Pulse.
Citizen Digital, citing family lawyer Senior Counsel Eric Theuri, reported that Abdi and a colleague, Ayub Mohamud Maalim, were released by their captors early on Thursday, recorded statements at Sololo Police Station, and reached Nairobi after a journey of seven to eight hours. Theuri said Abdi had sought treatment for minor injuries.
What happened in court on November 13?
Abdi appeared before the High Court at Milimani on Friday in the habeas corpus application filed while he was missing, according to Citizen Digital and Pulse Kenya. His family asked the court not to close the case.
Theuri argued that ending the proceedings would “embolden” those behind such abductions, Citizen Digital reported. The outlet also reported that officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit told the court Abdi was under investigation over several criminal allegations. No charges against him had been reported as of Friday, and no ruling on the family’s request had been reported.
What happens next?
- Habeas corpus case: the court must decide whether to close the matter or let it continue, as the family wants.
- Investigations: the DCI and Inspector-General have said a special team is looking into the case; the LSK wants IPOA to investigate.
- Court boycott: lawyers and litigants are waiting for the LSK to say whether normal court attendance resumes.
- Makadara case: the criminal case in which Abdi is a witness remains pending.
The case is the latest in a run of alleged abductions that rights groups have raised with authorities. Earlier 254.ke coverage includes rights groups demanding action on abductions of Kenyan youths and activist Maria Sarungi found safe after abduction. For background on the society’s past leadership, see Faith Odhiambo named Jurist of the Year.
The LSK posts its official statements and member directives on its website, lsk.or.ke.
FAQ
Who is Abshir Abdi?
Abshir Abdi is a Nairobi advocate with Abshir & Njagi Advocates. The LSK says he is a complainant and key witness in a criminal case at the Makadara Law Courts.
When did Abshir Abdi go missing?
Most reports say he was seized in Kilimani, Nairobi, early on Sunday, November 1, 2026. An LSK statement gave the date as November 2.
Where was Abshir Abdi found?
He was reported found in Sololo, Marsabit County, on November 12, 2026, about 11 days after he disappeared.
Is the LSK court boycott still on?
The LSK had told advocates to seek adjournments until Abdi was produced. As of November 13, no report reviewed by 254.ke had confirmed a formal end to the directive.
Have the police commented?
The DCI has denied police involvement, according to Mwakilishi and Pulse Kenya, and says a special team is investigating.
