Nairobi, July 3- Missing activist and blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia is alive and in hiding, his family lawyer Wahome Thuku has confirmed. Kinyagia, who had been missing for over 10 days, reportedly contacted a family member on Tuesday, assuring them of his safety and health.
Thuku revealed that Kinyagia went into hiding after receiving intelligence that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were pursuing him over unspecified allegations. His disappearance on June 21, the same day suspected DCI officers raided his Kiambu home, raised public concern and triggered nationwide uproar.
The activist allegedly became a target after posting an itinerary for the June 25 protests, which included plans to march to State House and declare a new republic—content that DCI boss Mohammed Amin later described as “inflammatory material.”
Although Amin claimed Kinyagia was not in police custody, he admitted that DCI officers had raided the activist’s home and recovered electronic items. He also urged Kinyagia to present himself to the authorities.
Thuku has since advised Kinyagia to appear before the High Court at Milimani today, July 3, but only under assurances of safety. Justice Chacha Mwita had earlier ordered the DCI boss and Inspector General of Police to appear in court and explain Kinyagia’s whereabouts after they failed to do so on July 1.
Human rights organisations including Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya have demanded Kinyagia’s unconditional release and called for an end to the intimidation of activists.
