Kenya School of Law (KSL) President John Lenda is reportedly in police custody after being arrested alongside several students in Nairobi on Friday night.
In an update issued on Saturday afternoon, a student identifying as Kutalang’i said that he was posting from Hardy Police Station, where he remained detained with Lenda and other students.
“Tweeting from Hardy Police Station. We were arrested yesterday by some police from Hardy. We are still in the police cell with John Lenda (KSL President) and other students,” Kutalang’i wrote.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, as well as the number of arrested students, remain unclear, with no official comment yet from the authorities, KSL, or Lenda.
An image of Kenya School of Law President John Lenda from a past event.
Circulating reports suggest that the group was taken into custody at about 11pm, with the students allegedly accused of resisting arrest after intervening as police moved to detain the KSL President.
Lenda was among those attending the Kenya School of Law Cocktail Gala held on Friday, August 14, at Kilbaf Gardens near Hardy Shopping Centre in Karen.
Event details indicate that it was held to bring together KSL students, young leaders, and legal professionals for networking and discussions.
The incident has drawn attention from members of the legal community, with calls for the Hardy Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) to release Lenda immediately and clarify the circumstances surrounding his detention.
A video said to have been taken during the arrest shows a chaotic scene as several people are loaded into the back of a police vehicle.
Students can be heard shouting and pleading for Lenda’s release, with some seen following the vehicle on foot as it leaves the scene.
Calls for Lenda’s release have also cited concerns over reports of deaths in detention, including the Independent Medico-Legal Unit’s findings that at least 20 Kenyans died in police custody between January and August this year.
Days ago, renewed scrutiny prompted Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to order that officers responsible for a police cell, including the Occurrence Book recording officer, cell sentry, and duty officer, be immediately interdicted whenever a detainee dies in custody pending investigations.
The entrance of the Kenya School of Law
Photo
KSL
