Kenya School of Law (KSL) President John Lenda was reportedly taken into police custody alongside multiple students during a gala event in Nairobi on the night of August 14, 2026.
According to a student detained with Lenda at Hardy Police Station, the group was arrested around 11 pm. The students are said to have intervened as police sought to arrest Lenda, leading to accusations of resisting arrest. The exact number of students detained and full details of the incident remain unclear, with no official statements from police, KSL, or Lenda himself.
The gala, held at Kilbaf Gardens near Hardy Shopping Centre in Karen, aimed to bring together KSL students, young leaders, and legal professionals for networking and discussion.
A video circulating from the scene shows a tense atmosphere as detainees are loaded into a police vehicle, with students shouting and following on foot, demanding Lenda's release.
The incident has sparked concern among legal circles who are calling for the immediate release of Lenda and a transparent explanation from the Hardy Police Station leadership. This comes amid wider worries about detainee safety following reports of multiple deaths in police custody this year.
Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, ordered the interdiction of officers responsible for police cells whenever a detainee dies in custody, highlighting the urgency of addressing such issues.
