By Andrew Kariuki
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for swift, impartial investigations into the death of advocate Tom Ouya Imbukwa, who succumbed to injuries after a reported brutal assault.
In a statement issued on Thursday, LSK President Charles Kanjama disclosed that Imbukwa was initially found alive but in critical condition at Harambee SACCO Estate before being rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and later died.
The society raised concern over the circumstances leading to his death, citing allegations that the advocate had been living in fear for about two weeks prior to the incident after reportedly receiving threats from a police officer.
LSK further revealed that before his condition deteriorated, Imbukwa indicated that he had been assaulted by police officers alongside other individuals. The claims, however, remain subject to verification through ongoing investigations.
Preliminary observations, according to the society, suggest that Imbukwa sustained severe injuries consistent with torture, including reports that his left eye had been gouged out.
Kanjama also pointed to inconsistencies in the case, noting that despite visible injuries and bleeding, officers at Savannah Police Post reported that no blood was found at the scene where the lawyer was discovered.
This, he said, raises critical questions as to whether the assault may have occurred at a different location and whether there may have been attempts to conceal key details.
The LSK linked the incident to growing concerns over the safety of advocates, noting that Imbukwa’s death follows the killing of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu in September 2025, a case in which accountability is yet to be achieved.
“Taken together, these incidents present an alarming picture regarding the safety of Advocates and the environment within which they are expected to discharge their professional and constitutional duties,” Kanjama stated.
He added that the legal profession is increasingly concerned about the rising vulnerability of advocates to violence, intimidation and retaliation linked to their work, warning that such incidents pose a threat to the administration of justice.
The society has urged members of the public with any information to come forward and assist investigators.
LSK also confirmed it will support the family by providing legal representation and has initiated steps to involve an independent pathologist in the postmortem process to enhance transparency.
In honour of the deceased, Kanjama called on members of the legal fraternity to wear purple ribbons throughout the week as a symbol of solidarity and a collective demand for justice.
