Nearly 24 hours after the Kenya Activist Society made a statement calling for the release of two Kenyan activists, Activist Davis Lichuma resurfaces at Kenyatta National Hospital after an alleged abduction.
Mathare social justice activist Davis Lichuma, popularly known as “Dife,” has been found alive. Dife resurfaced after going missing for over three days following his alleged abduction during recent protests.
Lichuma was discovered on Sunday night, June 28, 2026, abandoned outside the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in critical condition.
Found in critical condition
According to witnesses and the Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCWG), Lichuma was found dumped outside KNH showing visible signs of severe physical trauma and confusion.
Witnesses noted that he appeared heavily sedated. He was entirely unable to speak or explain what had transpired during his disappearance.
Following his discovery, Lichuma was rushed into emergency care and subsequently transferred to the Nairobi Women’s Hospital for specialised medical attention.
“While we are relieved that he has been located, we remain deeply concerned about his condition. At the time of his discovery, Comrade Lichuma was unable to speak, raising serious concerns about what he may have been subjected to.”
—Statement from the Social Justice Centres Working Group
Background of the disappearance
Lichuma, a prominent grassroots organiser with the Mathare Social Justice Centre, originally went missing on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He had been attending demonstrations near the Parliament buildings in Nairobi. The demonstrations marked the anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests.
Civil society groups report that Lichuma was one of several activists allegedly seized by unknown individuals believed to be security operatives. While five other activists resurfaced over the weekend along Lang’ata Road, Lichuma had remained unaccounted for until Sunday evening.
The situation escalated rapidly over the weekend. Human rights defenders issued a strict 24-hour ultimatum to the government to produce Lichuma or face nationwide street demonstrations.
Calls for accountability
The resurfacing has intensified scrutiny on the state regarding suspected cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial rogue operations. Human rights organisations are demanding an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into:
- Who abducted Lichuma and where he was unlawfully detained?
- Who authorised and executed his alleged torture?
- Absolute accountability for any state officers found complicit?
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that it had received a missing-person report for Lichuma at the Central Police Station. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga stated that allegations of abductions and torture are being taken seriously. He also says that allegations will undergo a thorough, professional, and impartial investigation.
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