The High Court has prohibited the police from arresting blogger and activist Ndiangui Kinyagia, at least for the next fortnight. This comes as the family refused to speak to the media over the contentious disappearance.
During the case proceedings on Thursday, July 3, Justice Chacha Mwita granted the blogger’s family time with Ndiangui for medical attention and to hear from him about the 13-day disappearance.
Consequently, the police were ordered not to arrest NdiaNdiangui, at least until his case comes up for mention on July 18 and July 24.
News of his emergence was revealed by the family’s lawyer, Wahome Thuku, who confirmed that the activist had been hiding in an undisclosed location for fear of his life.
The lawyer, through a statement on Facebook on Thursday, July 3, confirmed that Ndiangui had reached out to a family member on Tuesday evening and confirmed he was alive and well.
"I wish to inform Kenyans that Mr Ndiangui, who went missing last week, has contacted the family and that he is well, healthy and safe. Ndiangui contacted a family member on Tuesday evening from an undisclosed location," Thuku stated.
The lawyer disclosed that Ndiangui had gone into hiding over fear for his life after receiving information that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were after him over unknown criminal allegations.
However, Ndiangui's appearance in court today triggered backlash from a section of Kenyans, who accused him of 'toying with the emotions of Kenyans'. This is as most were under the impression that the activist had been allegedly abducted by individuals believed to be DCI officers.
Reports of Ndiangui having orchestrated his own disappearance became rife, and this was addressed by Thuku, the family lawyer. He referenced the aspect of DCI officers being seen at Ndiangui's residence before his disappearance, as he supposedly aimed to pour cold water on the self-abduction claims.
"The police were seen breaking into Ndiangui's house. This is something that we reported and this was confirmed by the police through an affidavit they presented in court. So, anyone alleging the issue of self-abduction, then you must tell us whether DCI breaking into the house was part of the self-abduction," Thuku stated.
Even so, Thuku maintained such issues would be addressed privately, adding that the family would have a sit-down with Ndiangui to establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Contrary to public opinion, DCI boss Mohammed Amin had earlier revealed that Ndiangui was not in the custody of the police but maintained that he was a person of interest to the authorities.
Amin cited the posting of a June 25 'timetable' by Ndiangui on his X platform, which he described as "inflammatory material," as a cause for possible arrest by the cops. Notable contents of the 'timetable' included a march to the State House and the declaration of a new republic.
In his first public appearance since he disappeared on Saturday, June 21, images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the activist visibly shaken by the developments.
He cut a withdrawn figure, with footage captured showing him looking downwards during the court session. He was dressed in a maroon jacket, and his hair was trimmed, contrary to an image shared online of him with a full head of hair.
