The High Court has issued orders barring the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from arresting blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia, who reappeared on Thursday, July 3, 2025, after being reported missing for nearly two weeks in connection with the June 25 anti-government protests.
Justice Chacha Mwita, presiding over the matter, further ruled that any statement taken from Kinyagia must be recorded in the presence of his lawyer, citing concerns over his wellbeing. The case will now be heard on July 18, 2025.
My intention was to have him presented to Kenyans. He is here, we have him. It is also important to allow the family and lawyers time to speak with him,” said Justice Mwita, confirming that the court’s immediate priority—ensuring the activist’s safety—had been achieved.
Kinyagia, who had been feared abducted by state agents, was said to be “unwell and traumatised”, according to his legal counsel. Lawyer Kibe Mungai, representing Kinyagia’s family, informed the court that he was notified of Kinyagia’s status on Tuesday night by fellow advocate Wahome Thuku. A relative named Wanjiku reportedly spoke with Kinyagia by phone shortly before his appearance.
“Your Honour, we have him. We were looking for him, and he is finally here. But he is not in good condition,” Mungai said, requesting more time for the family and legal team to debrief him and assess his situation.
The legal team also asked the court to issue protective orders, expressing fears that Kinyagia could face arrest or harassment despite surfacing voluntarily. They requested that he be bonded to appear in court as needed, rather than taken into custody.
Lawyer Emmanuel Bitta, representing the Office of the Attorney General, argued that the State had been unfairly treated in the proceedings and asked for more time to file a proper response.
Justice Mwita accepted the request for adjournment, emphasizing that the most pressing concern—Kinyagia’s location and safety had been addressed.
The blogger’s disappearance had caused widespread uproar from civil society and online activists, with many believing he had been abducted by security agents following the viral circulation of a protest timetable he posted on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the June 25 demonstrations.
His eventual reappearance did not quell all criticism, with some government allies accusing him of staging his disappearance. Nonetheless, human rights organisations have maintained that the court was right to demand his production, and that state accountability must not be compromised.
