The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Sunday intervened and called for the immediate release of vocal online commentator and activist Maverick Aoko following several calls from concerned Kenyans, activists, and even top politicians.
Speaking to the media after tracing arrested Boniface Mwangi to the Kamukunji Police Station, LSK President Faith Odhiambo called for her immediate release and urged Kenyans to use the LSK hotline to provide any information regarding her disappearance.
“We have heard that she is missing and we are asking for any information. Our hotline is still working. Please reach out to the LSK. Every life counts. We ask that whoever is holding her that she should be released immediately. Let’s not be a country that we live in intimidation or fear,” Odhiambo told the press.
"Kenya is our country, Kenya is our home. Let us fight to ensure that we uphold the rule of law. That every single person feels like they have a right to enjoy their rights fully in this country. People might say things that are not pleasant for you, however, there are rules to govern the same. Let us deal with people withing the confines of the law."
On Sunday, Francis Gaitho had taken to social media to report that Aoko had been missing for four days up to that point with no intervention from the LSK and civil society groups writing, “Aoko has been missing for 4 days now and LSK have not done shit to try and trace her. Boni went missing for a couple of hours and this specific clique of activists and journalists are on top of things.”
“I hate how civil society and mainstream (githeri) media are selective and openly biased in how they dispense their duties. You’re all pushing us for unity in the movement but turning a blind eye to this glaring classism. They claim to champion equality and inclusivity but are practitioners of the opposite without any honor or shame.”
Since then, more online personalities, politicians, and activists joined in on the hashtag calling for her release, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who Aoko often pours praises on. On Monday morning, he posted a banner with ‘Free Aoko’ insignias.
Other prominent politicians who demanded her release included Busia Senator who wrote, “Where is Aoko? We begin the week trying to find Aoko. Remember Bogonko Bosire? One day in 2013, he went offline and has never been seen 11 years later. Retweet widely and make noise for Aoko. You never know, your voice could be what keeps her alive today.”
According to online reports, Aoko has been missing online for 5 days and attempts to get in touch with her offline have bore no fruits leading most Kenyans to believe that she is the latest victim of police abductions subjected to vocal activists and social media commentators.
Despite all the noise, however, there is yet to be any substantive lead to her whereabouts whether online or offline. It is also not confirmed that she has been arrested or abducted by police officers but some of her staunch supporters believe that she would not have taken a sabbatical from social media without prior notice.
If that is the case, it would not be the first time her audacious political activism which often includes exposing politicians’ private lives has landed her in trouble. Earlier this year, Aoko was arrested and interrogated for days over remarks she made on social media.
Her Sunday disappearance was overshadowed by activist Boniface Mwangi’s arrest which diverted most of the online community’s attention to calling for his release.
